Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Today is a day to think about falling and how to prevent falling as you age.

According to the CDC, one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each day.  There are over 36 million people who fall each year, with about three million of those people going to the emergency room for treatment..

If you are a woman you are more likely to fall than a man.  You would likely injure your hip since 95% of falls cause hip injuries. That’s enough to scare anyone.

The good news is that there are recommendations for you on how to avoid falling.  You do not need to anticipate falling if you can follow some basic guidelines.

• You should talk to your health professional about your medicines.  Review what you are taking and make sure they are still ok for you.  Check your Vitamin D and see if you need any supplements to help promote your bone and muscle health.

• Next, be sure to exercise for strength and health.  Lifting weights, even lighter ones can help to improve overall health.  There are also exercises to help with your balance. Talk to a professional about what exercises are good for you.

• Call your eye and foot doctor to have both checked regularly.  As you age cataracts can form in your eyes and that affects how you see.  You want to make sure your feet are ok and that you use the right footwear.,

• Finally, make sure your home is safe for you.  Wherever you live check that your bathroom has grab bars and non-slip mats.  Be certain that any throw rugs are safe and be sure that there are not a lot of piles in your living areas.

Private Home Health Care understands why people are afraid of falling.  Serious injuries can occur.  It’s important to be sure to take care of yourself to avoid needing a trip to the emergency room.