Trips and falls are the leading cause of hospitalizations and injury-related deaths according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learning how to prevent these falls can help older people lead more active and independent lives. These great tips will help prevent falls and help seniors become more aware of potential hazards and how to avoid them.
1) Keep your hands empty while walking whenever possible. Hands-free allows you greater access to grab onto furniture, walls, or rails for support when needed. It also allows you to be centered and balanced. Full hands can unevenly distribute the weight you’re carrying and can lead to falls of their own volition. Either way, full hands limit your ability to keep from falling.
2) Remove clutter and obstructions from all walking paths in your home. The more things you have to maneuver, the greater the chance that you will slip, trip, or fall due to misjudgment or loss of balance.
3) Wear sturdy shoes that provide active support. Make sure your shoes fit your feet well and always wear shoes that have gussets. Avoid slippers, flip-flops, and going barefoot or walking with only socks on your feet. Now is the time to really invest in good shoes for your feet that provide support and comfort. This is not the time to visit the discount store. Make this a solid investment built to last.
4) Install sturdy, supportive rails on all stairs or steps in the house. Even if it’s just a short step down, it’s important that you have something to hold on to for support when going up or down the steps. It is also important to keep steps/stairs clear of obstructions and well lit at all times. Also be sure to install grab bars in the shower and toilet area of the bathroom to provide extra support and in case of slips or falls.
5) Install motion or sound activated lights in your home so you’re not walking around in the dark or blindly searching for light switches. Motion-activated lights will also turn off after several minutes of inactivity, so you don’t need to turn them off when you leave the room. Also install nightlights in every room that turn on automatically when it’s dark.
6) Do daily exercises that promote balance. Loss of balance is one of the most common reasons for falls among older people. The more frequently you do exercises designed to promote a sense of balance, the less likely you are to fall for this reason.
7) Do not climb stepladders or stools. Instead of climbing to reach things that are high up or on top shelves, consider investing in a grab bar or having someone come over and help you rearrange your kitchen so frequently used items are at your fingertips. within easy reach and those that are used infrequently are within easy reach. stored higher.
