Preventing Falls
Tips to Make Home Safer for the Elderly
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, more than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States. In fact, among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. And the problem is growing: the rates of fall-related deaths among older adults actually rose significantly over the past decade.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways that adults over 65 or those caring for an older family member can lower the chances of injury from a fall.
Begin a Regular Exercise Program
Exercise is one of the most important ways to reduce the chance of falling. Older adults who exercise regularly, with their doctors’ permission, are stronger, feel better and have improved balance.
- Exercises that improve balance and coordination, like Tai Chi or yoga, are the most helpful.
- Lack of exercise leads to weakened muscles and increases the chance of falling.
- Ask a doctor or other healthcare provider about the best type of exercise program.
Make Home Safer
An extremely simple way to minimize the risk of falling is to make a few changes around the house. These modifications are usually easy and inexpensive to achieve, but they may make a big difference in safety.
- Remove things that can be tripped over, such as papers, books, clothes and shoes, from stairs and places where family members walk the most. Pet food bowls in the kitchen and bathroom scales are two examples of small items that are easy to move out of the way.
- Also remove small throw rugs or welcome mats or use double-sided tape to keep rugs from slipping.
- Keep frequently used items in cabinets that are easy to reach without using a stepstool.
- Invest in an inexpensive reacher for picking up items that are not within easy grasp. These can usually be found at drug stores and discount retailers.
- Install grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower.
- Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
- Improve the lighting in the home. As people get older, they need brighter light to see well.
Have a Healthcare Provider Review Medicines
Any older adult or caregiver concerned about the risk of falls should have a primary care doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines the elderly person takes — both prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. There are several reasons why this could be important:
- The way some medicines work in the body can change with age.
- Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make a person drowsy or lightheaded, which can lead to a fall.
- An over-the-counter medicine can react with a prescription in an unexpected way, making the patient dizzy or drowsy.
Get an Eye Exam
Seniors should have their vision checked regularly by an eye doctor. He or she will evaluate whether the patient is wearing the right lens strength and type or may need a new prescription. The eye doctor will also check for conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts that limit vision. Poor vision can increase the chance of falling.
Although accidents can happen, by talking to the doctor and making a few small changes around the house, most older adults and their caregivers can reduce the risk of falling and make home safer overall.
Regular checkups can reduce the risk of falling.
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