Fall Prevention
Older Adult Falls
Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent.
However, falls aren't something that just happens when you age, there are proven ways to reduce falls.
What Conditions Make You More Likely to Fall?
Research has identified many conditions that contribute to falling. These are called risk factors. Many risk factors can be changed or modified to help prevent falls. They include:
- Lower body weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency (that is, not enough vitamin D in your system) Learn about the nutrition connection to falls at Falls Free Friday-Nutrition for Falls Prevention
- Difficulties with walking and balance
- Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet.
- Vision problems
- Foot pain or poor footwear
- Home hazards or dangers such as
- broken or uneven steps, and
- throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.
Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the greater their chances of falling.
What You Can Do to Prevent Falls
- Ask your doctor to evaluate your risk for falling and to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. Also ask about taking Vitamin D supplements.
- Do strength and balance exercise. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise. For a Tai Chi demonstration go to: Falls Free Friday Tai Chi demo
- Have your eyes checked at least once a year.
- Make your home safer
- Get rid of things you could trip over.
- Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
- Put railings on both sides of stairs.
- Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.
- Learn more about Preventing Falls with Home Safety
Find a Stepping On Workshop in your area at Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
Falls Free Wisconsin
Falls Free Wisconsin (FFWI) works hard to help older adults stay safe from falls. Falls can be really serious for older people and everyone around them, like family, caregivers, and even the whole community. FFWI tries to prevent falls by raising awareness and giving information and resources to older people and their families. They also work with the state and local communities to make sure everyone is doing their part to reduce the chances of falls. Their goal is to lower the number of injuries, emergency calls, hospital visits, and deaths caused by falls.
FFWI has an interactive website that can help you take steps to reduce your risk of falling, Home - fallsfreewi.org. FFWI site includes a home safety challenge, falls free checkup, and a link to find a falls prevention program.