Preserving & Protecting Your Family’s Assets & Legacy

How can seniors prevent falls?

On Behalf of | Jan 7, 2021 | Health Care Proxy |

You may know that falls can be especially hazardous to your health. You need to make sure that you take certain steps to decrease your chances of falling.

Fall prevention may be easier than you realize.

Make sure your home is safe

According to the Mayo Clinic, one simple thing you can do is make sure there are no tripping hazards in your home. Walk through your home to identify potential hazards. Do you have torn carpeting or loose floorboards? Are your walkways and staircases covered with clutter? If you notice either of these problems, you should remove these hazards. Additionally, you should put non-slip mats in your bathroom and in front of your kitchen sink.

You may also want to pay attention to your home’s lighting. Is it easy for you to reach a lamp from your bed? Do you have a clear walkway to the light switches? You may want to put nightlights in your hallways and bathrooms so that you do not trip and fall if you need to get up in the middle of the night.

Talk to your doctor

An honest conversation with your doctor can also help prevent falls. Some of your medications may have side effects, such as dizziness and fatigue, that may increase the chance that you will fall. You may also have a higher risk of falling if you have balance or vision problems. Your doctor can help suggest exercises to strengthen your body and tailor your medication so that it does not affect your senses.

Make sure you have support

Sometimes, you may need help maintaining your balance. You may need to use a cane if you are unsteady on your feet. Additionally, you may need to install assistive devices in your house. Grab bars in the shower can provide you with a handhold, and a toilet seat with armrests can help support you as you stand up and sit down.

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