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Four Steps Older Adults Should Take to Prevent Debilitating Falls
One in three older adults falls each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those seniors, two-thirds will fall again within six months. Yet falls are not an inevitable part of the aging process.
"Many of the factors that contribute to falls are easily preventable, helping seniors avoid serious injuries that lead to emergency room visits and hospitalizations," said Jan Silvestry, rehabilitation services manager for VNA Care Network & Hospice. She oversees the nonprofit's Safe at Home Program, which aims to prevent falls among older adults in Eastern and Central Massachusetts.
Safe at Home
VNA Care Network & Hospice's nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists identify a wide range of physical, environmental, and other factors that can contribute to a fall. If someone is at risk, the clinician creates a unique plan to help that person remain safely at home.
Steps You Can Take
VNA Care Network & Hospice's Safe at Home staff recommends every older adult take these four steps to reduce their risk for falling:
- Exercise to maintain or increase your strength, balance, and coordination.
- Have your eyesight checked. Vision problems, such as cataracts or wearing the wrong prescription glasses, may increase your risk of falling.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as any herbal remedies. It's important to know any side effects or drug interactions that may cause dizziness or other problems that contribute to falls.
- Check your home for common hazards like clutter, slippery floors, and throw rugs. VNA Care Network & Hospice recently published a checklist to help people conduct their own review. Call 800-728-1862 or e-mail info@vnacarenetwork.org to receive a free copy as well as additional fall prevention resources.
Information
For more information about Safe at Home and other home health care services, contact VNA Care Network & Hospice at 800-728-1862 or info@vnacarenetwork.org.