Prevent Falls – Some Practical Advice

London Bridge may have fallen down, but you don’t have to!

Falls are a costly occurrence in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports 1 out of 5 falls in the older adult causes serious injury, including brain injury and broken bones, costing the U.S. $50 billion in annual healthcare. In addition, by 2030 if falls continue at their current rate it is estimated there will seven deaths per hour related to falls. That is certainly a grim forecast! However, there are many things that you can do to prevent falls. It all starts with paying attention.

Watch your step!

How many of us try to get through our tasks too quickly? We decide to carry four bags of groceries, which not only throws us off balance but also occludes our ability to see the ground; causing missteps that lead to falls. As seasoned therapists who has seen patients fall under this exact circumstance, will often first encourage patients to pay attention and slow down!

Another element of fall prevention education that we provide to our patients include general strength and balance exercises. Suzanne McCrum, physical therapist at Trio, created the following video to help educate the public about fall prevention.

Wear comfortable shoes!

Shoes matter. Yes, we know those Birkenstocks are comfortable. We know that we look and feel cute in shoes with a heel! However, one of the leading ways to prevent falls for older adults is to wear a good pair of shoes that support the ankle and foot position during walking and exercising.

Get your eyes checked!

As we age, our vision declines. We need more light and stronger reading glasses to see items up close. Glare and discoloration caused by cataracts can alter our distance vision affecting our ability to see a step or change in slope. As vision is one of the key components to keeping your balance, make sure to get your eyes checked annually and follow the direction of your optometrist for surgical needs to remove cataracts!

Consult a doctor!

Talk with your doctor to get a referral for physical therapy if you are concerned about your balance or have a fear of falling. Doctors are so busy nowadays that they can forget to ask about balance, so it is important to advocate for yourself!

Ensure safety at home!

Don’t forget to check the safety of your home environment. If you have heard to remove your throw rugs once, you have heard it a thousand times. If you need a professional to address your home safety or the home safety of a loved one who is stubborn and doesn’t want to follow your advice, contact an Occupational Therapist (OT) for a complete customized list of home safety tips. OT’s can assess a person’s home for safety hazards, determine the need for modifications such as removing clutter or adding lighting, which will help decrease family anxiety.

To wrap it up, there are simple and practical interventions you can use to prevent falls. Keep up your exercise and strength, which in turn, will keep you confident in your balance. Finally, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. Your doctor and you can discuss the best interventions and assure you get the support you need!

We can help!

At Trio Rehabilitation, our therapists specialize in fall prevention, fall recovery, and increasing patient confidence! We work with all patients individually for approximately one hour to assure they receive the best care and best outcomes possible.

Suzanne McCrum, PT, DPT, CSRS, AIB (American Institute of Balance)
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions
Boerne, Texas