Use these fall prevention tips and tactics to avoid injury

One of the biggest concerns aging makes us face is what to do if we’ve fallen—and how we can prevent it. According to statistics from the CDC, one in five falls for those 65 and older can lead to serious injury. We’ve put together a list of tactics to reduce the risk of falling as well as prevention techniques that can come in handy in dire situations. 

Stay active

By increasing mobility and balance, staying active can be a great way to prevent falls. There are lots of low-impact activities you can try like walking, swimming, chair yoga, and ground or standing stretching. These activities can keep your joints healthy and muscles toned to prevent falls or injuries that may result from a fall.

Staying active can also help with improving your balance. Even simple exercises like balancing on one foot or doing knee lifts can help increase your balance ability.

Remove hazards

Removing potential tripping hazards can be a big part of fall prevention tactics. Hazards within the home can include poor lighting, uneven ground surfaces, throw rugs, cords, clutter, and unkempt plants and yards.

Ways to mitigate these hazards include removing excess clutter, using a service to keep your yard orderly for you, using good lighting both above and along the ground, and keeping cords behind furniture or taped down. Motion sensor lights like these can help keep ground areas well-lit so you can avoid tripping on any unseen hazards. 

Know your limits

A way to prevent falls and injuries is to take the time to evaluate your own limits. Know what your capabilities are and what you are able to do and not do. It is okay to take things slowly, and especially with outdoor activities to be cautious of avoiding taking steep hiking paths or routes with uneven surfaces.

Setting time limits can also be helpful to avoid overextending yourself and creating the potential for later injuries. Shoe choice can also be a factor in preventing falling, so choose shoes with good support that won’t slip off easily and that have good traction. 

Use the devices available to you

There are different devices you can use in your home to prevent falling and harmful effects from falling. Whether you live alone or those you live with are out for a few hours, it can be a good idea to have an alert button device that can call for help if you find yourself unable to get back up. You can find these alert buttons online or through talking with your doctor about alert devices that may work for you. 

Other devices you can use include handrails in areas you may fall like near your bed or in the bathroom, as well as stools in higher risk places such as the side of the bed. If you live in a multi-level home, exploring options like stair lift can be a bit more of an investment that can be beneficial as well. You can also try low-cost items like non-slip mats on hard floors and in showers, as well as fall management socks that can prevent slipping. 

Discuss with your doctor

With full knowledge of your medical history and potential risks, your doctor is a great resource. You can set up an appointment to discuss what specific tactics and resources may work best for you if you are unsure what may be the most effective strategy for you. Your doctor can check physical ability and vision to determine your risk and what strategies you should focus on implementing. Your doctor can also help create plans to discuss what your specific concerns are and how to overcome any barriers you may face so you can live life to the fullest while keeping safe.

Though the risks falling poses are substantial, following these above tips and tactics can help prolong your quality of life—and might even save it.

— Missy Roney