It’s not unusual for the elderly to be at a higher risk of falling than younger people. Whether it’s from osteoporosis, arthritis or some other condition, seniors are more likely to experience an injury from a fall. This can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries. The good news is that there are several ways you can help prevent falls in your loved ones:
1. Get Off The Couch And Get Active
The first thing you can do to reduce the risk of falls is to get off the couch and get active. Exercise helps to prevent falls by improving strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. It’s also good for your heart health, which means it can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels–both risk factors for falling.
Doing some simple exercises like walking or gardening can help build up these important skills without putting too much strain on your body at first. If you’re unsure how much exercise is right for you, ask a doctor before starting an exercise program or consult with a physical therapist who can create an individualized plan based on their assessment of what kind of activity will work best in combination with other treatments (like medications) that might be prescribed by another healthcare provider like an orthopedist or cardiologist.
2. Eat Right
Eating a balanced diet is an important part of staying healthy and maintaining your weight, but it’s especially important for the elderly. The right foods can help prevent falls by:
· Being low in sodium (salt) and sugar
· High in fiber, calcium, and protein
· Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
3. Maintain Good Posture
Posture is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent falls and injuries. Good posture means standing tall with your shoulders back, chest open and abdomen tucked in. This will help you breathe better, which can make you feel more confident as well as reduce pain from back or joint problems by strengthening muscles around those areas. If you are having trouble maintaining good posture when standing or walking, try using a cane or walker for support until it becomes second nature for your body to hold itself in this position without any assistance from external objects like canes or walkers (or even furniture).
4. Don’t Ignore Warnings
As we age, our bodies change and become more fragile. It’s important not to ignore warning signs that you are getting older. This includes:
· Warning signs of sickness (such as a cold or flu)
· Warning signs that you are not as healthy as you used to be
· Changes in your body (such as slower reflexes or balance issues)
5. Be Careful Around Your Car
· Drive slowly:
· Park in a well-lit area, if possible. This will make it easier for you to see what’s going on around you and avoid hitting pedestrians or other cars.
· Use the emergency brake when parking so that it doesn’t roll away while you’re out shopping or running errands.
· Keep your keys with you at all times, especially if there are children around who might get into trouble by playing with them (or even trying to drive!). It’s also important not to leave your purse/wallet unattended in the car so as not to attract thieves who may want access to whatever personal information is inside–particularly credit cards! If someone does break into the vehicle through some means besides breaking glass (perhaps through an unlocked door), then call 911 immediately so police can respond quickly enough before anything else happens.
6. Use The Right Shoes For Your Activities
If you’re going to be walking, hiking or doing any activity that requires a lot of walking and standing, make sure that your shoes are supportive and comfortable. A good pair of shoes will also have good traction so that you don’t slip or fall when it rains or snows outside. If you need arch support for example: look for a shoe with an insertable insole (also known as orthotics) which can be purchased at most drug stores or online retailers.
7. If you work, be sure to go through height safety training
If you work, be sure to go through height safety training at the reputable Zokal Safety Australia. This is especially important if you work with ladders or scaffolding. For example, if you’re climbing a ladder, make sure it’s on level ground and that your feet are firmly on the rungs with both hands free for balance. If possible, try using an extension ladder rather than a straight ladder for extra stability.
8. Keep Your Vision Perfectly Clear By Visiting An Eye Doctor Regularly
This one is a no-brainer, but it’s important to mention. If you don’t have perfect vision, then your risk of falling increases significantly. Vision problems can affect balance and coordination and lead to falls in the elderly (and even younger people).
That’s why it’s so important for older adults to visit an eye doctor regularly and get regular eye exams-even if they don’t think they need one!
Fall prevention is important for the elderly, so make sure you know these tips and share them with older loved ones.
