Falls are Preventable
What do Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Pope Benedict XVI and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor have in common? The answer: they have all taken falls this year that have caused them some type of injury.
As you can see, falls can happen to anyone—and unfortunately one out of three older people fall each year. Falls are more likely to occur in the elder population. As we age we may not get enough exercise. We may suffer from chronic conditions or take medications that affect our balance. And these are just some of the possible causes of falls. Our bones become frailer as we age, so the falls we take are more likely to have serious consequences.
The good news is that a good number of falls are preventable. For example, many of the health problems that increase the chance of falling are treatable. Another main cause of falls is hazards such as unsafe footwear, vision problems, and tripping hazards (such as throw rugs) at home. Simple changes in these areas could help prevent falls.
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent a fall:
- Exercise often: regular activity will help to keep your muscles strong and flexible
- Wear proper glasses or contacts to improve your vision. If you are walking at night be sure to walk only in well-lit areas. And be sure to turn on lights in your home if moving around at night.
- Look at hazards in your home and mitigate them: remove throw rugs, install grab bars in the shower, use a railing when going up and down steps, and clear clutter away from the places you walk.
- Talk to your doctor if you suffer from dizziness or have other medical concerns about falling.
Broome County is determined to decrease the number of falls in our senior population. Call the Broome County Office for Aging at 778-2411 to get your name on a mailing list for fall prevention programs. Take this first step in saving yourself from a life-altering fall!
Posted: 9/10/2009 7:00 am
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