Listen to Prevent Falls

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 15:08

In a recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) study, 16% of older adults reported falling within three months of responding to survey questions.

Older people fall for a variety of reasons. Among them are slower reflexes, lower vision, and home environments that resemble obstacle courses.

On the plus side, though, older adults can mitigate the risk of falling by:

• Increasing their physical activity. Gentle exercise strenthens musles, improving balance and coordination.

• Talking to their doctors about the medications they're taking. An adjustment in dosage can make a real difference in steadiness.

• Having their vision checked. A new prescription for eyeglasses can make it a lot easier to navigate with confidence.

Improving the safety of their homes. For example, remove trip-and-fall  obstacles like throw rugs or ottomans. Install grab bars and railings. Upgrade lighting in dim areas, opting for energy-efficient, non-glare fluorescent bulbs.

Many falls are preventable. Taking a tumble does not need to become inevitable as we advance in years. Listen to the entire CDC podcast.