Falls
leading cause of Death for those over 65
Falls are also the leading cause of injuries for those over 65. With the aging of our population, the incidence of falls has doubled between 2000 and 2013, which is a trend that is expected to continue. Advertisements for early cancer detection, control of high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as the benefits of weight loss surround us, from billboards and magazines to mobile apps; it is time for each of us to focus our own spotlight on fall prevention. Attention to simple changes like increasing core strength and balance, reducing home hazards and attention to visual deficits can dramatically reduce falls and their accompanying morbidity and are relatively simple approaches we all can undertake to stay safer.
To reduce falls consider these basic home safety projects:
- Put non-skid rubber mats in bathtubs and showers
- Brighten dark rooms or hallways with lights or lamps (motion activated lights work great)
- Use nightlights
- Keep flashlights handy in case of power failure
- Use non-skid waxes or floor cleaners
- Let washed floors dry before walking on them
- Replace thick pile carpets with low pile ones
- Remove or tack down all scatter rugs
- Put bright tape on thresholds
- Don’t walk around in slippery stockings or socks
- Install handrails where needed, steps, toilet, bath
- Remove clutter and unstable furniture
- Use a step stool (not a chair) as a step ladder
- Have a telephone handy include easy to find emergency contact numbers