Seniors know that falls are serious business. What you may not know is that there are things you can do to reduce your risk of falling and stay active well into your golden years. Don’t let a fear of fall-related injuries take away the activities you love.
Can You Reduce Your Risk of Falling?
All falls are risky when you’re a senior. Unfortunately, they’re also somewhat common. In fact, at least one senior has a fall every single second, which results in 38 million senior falls each year. The toll of these falls is real. One out of five of these seniors will suffer from a serious injury such as a hip fracture or traumatic brain injury, which is the seventh most common cause of death for American seniors. Even if a senior avoids a serious injury, the odds they will be hospitalized or have to visit an emergency room are worryingly high.
While falling can have serious consequences, the fear of falling can also have a negative impact on a senior’s life. Some seniors address fall risk by adopting a more sedentary lifestyle, which can be bad for a senior’s health. It can also cause them to miss out on social activities, exercise, and other things that can improve a senior’s quality of life. Obviously, this isn’t an ideal way to reduce fall risk. So, what should seniors do instead?
Make a Personalized Fall Risk Plan
There are lots of general tips on the internet about reducing fall risk for seniors. These can be helpful, but before you start implementing them, you should consider your individual situation. For example, tips about reducing fall risks on stairs aren’t very helpful if you live on a single floor! You’ll be better off by making a fall risk plan that is tailored to your actual lifestyle.
Ask Your Doctor
Talk to your doctor about your health-related fall risk. Be sure to ask about factors such as side effects from medications, as well as previous injuries or preexisting conditions that could affect your sense of balance. Your doctor can help you consider these factors and make decisions about how to address them.
Do a Home Risk Assessment
Take a look around your home. Is there clutter on the floor? Too much furniture that’s easy to trip over? Or, are there places you could put assistive devices like safety railings that could keep you from experiencing a fall injury? Use a home fall prevention checklist to make sure your home environment will help keep you safe.
Stay Active
Ironically, the best action seniors can take to avoid falls is to get active. You might think that would increase the risk, but actually, seniors who exercise regularly can reduce their fall risk by over twenty percent. In general, exercises that focus on strength and balance will do the most to improve your fall risk. If you aren’t already exercising regularly, you can start with chair exercises or resistance band exercises to help build your strength. If you are already exercising regularly, consider introducing strength-building or balance-focused exercises like swimming or tai chi. No matter what you do, check with your doctor first.
Consult an Occupational Therapist
If you still feel you are at risk of falls after taking these steps, your next stop should be an occupational therapist. These are physical therapists that help patients adapt to living within their current physical abilities, and they often assist seniors with assessing and avoiding fall risk. Simple changes like daily stretches or even a new pair of shoes can make a big difference, so don’t hesitate to ask for some expert help.
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The idea of a fall-related injury can be frightening, but as you can see, there is a lot you can do to lower your risk of falling. So take an active role in protecting yourself from falls, and keep enjoying your well-earned retirement.
At Springhouse Village, we know how important it is to enjoy your retirement in a lively and welcoming environment. We make it easy for our residents to be active participants in our community. Whether that means encouraging residents to join an exercise class or assisting them in starting a garden club, we strive to help our residents thrive. To learn more about the amenities and services we offer, contact Springhouse Village today.