Prevent Falls with These 8 Tips

In any given year, people aged 65 and over make up for about 35% of falls. In fact, falls are the number one cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. And in addition to injuries, these accidents can also cause anxiety in older people. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid falling. Because we recognize Falls Prevention Week later this month, today Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in the Amarillo, TX panhandle are sharing eight proven fall prevention tips to stay safe.

1. Get adequate exercise. Exercising helps keep your muscles strong. Choose activities that focus on flexibility, strength training, and balance to help make your ligaments, tendons, and joints stay healthy.

2. Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet that includes calcium and Vitamin D is recommended. In addition, stay away from harmful activities such as alcohol use and smoking, which increases the likelihood of your bones breaking when you fall.

3. Track your medicines. Many medications have side effects that include sleepiness, confusion, weakness, or dizziness. If you notice any side effects with the medications you’re taking, talk to your physician about it.

4. Get rest. Lack of sleep can lead to slower movement, less awareness of your environment, and confusion. Your response time and reflexes are also reduced, which also increases the risk of falls.

5. Wear properly fitting footwear. Luckily, this problem is easy to fix. Simply choose rubber-soled, non-skid, and low-heeled shoes. You can also opt for lace-up shoes with non-skid soles.

6. Slow down. Practice standing up slowly, and take a minute to get your bearings, so you don’t fall when you begin to move. Use a cane or walker when walking to provide support when moving, especially outdoors.

7. Remain cautious on slippery surfaces. The risk of falling increases as we age, so it’s critical that you ensure walkways and stairs don’t have any ice or puddles before walking on them.

8. Assess your home for safety. This point is perhaps the most important of all. If you’re spending your senior years at home, you must make your home safe to move around.

Use these fall prevention tips to ensure that falls don’t take away your ability to enjoy your daily activities. For more fall prevention tips, contact the office of Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in the Amarillo, TX panhandle today at (806) 322-3338 to schedule a consultation.