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Jul 12, 2019

Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors

While 1 in 4 seniors will experience a fall each year, focusing proactively on how to prevent falls can help you keep that risk at bay. The first step in fall prevention is understanding the key factors that can contribute to a fall and looking at ways to combat them. Instead of feeling that a fall may be an inevitable part of aging, seniors and their loved ones can employ a host of fall prevention tips and exercises to put them ahead of the curve.

Take a well-balanced, active approach.

A male senior with a towel around his shoulders lifting weights with a female physical trainer

For some, limiting physical activity may seem like a straightforward way to avoid a fall, but the truth is, this can actually put seniors at a greater risk. Though coordination and flexibility can wane as we grow older, it’s critical to look for ways to introduce a more regimented plan for staying active – especially one including fall prevention exercises and exercises to improve balance in seniors, such as Tai Chi. This is a great reason to think about joining a senior living community that offers regularly scheduled classes, fully equipped fitness centers and on-site trainers.

Consult your physician.

A male senior in a white button up shirt smiling at a male doctor or clinician

Lean on the knowledge and expertise of your primary care doctor to help you stay in the know about how chronic health conditions and medication can play a role in increasing your chances for a fall. By staying aware of possible side effects of certain medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, and how they may interact with one another, you can better spot a potentially dangerous situation before it impacts you.

Of course, also be sure to communicate with your physician about minor falls that occur, but do not result in any kind of injury. If unchecked, these incidents could lead to feelings of fear, causing increased inactivity and isolation. But if discussed openly, those moments can help your doctor identify smarter ways to help you address your personal risk factors.

Assess your environment.

The place you live can have a significantly positive impact on your long-term mobility, but often there are conditions in this environment that can lead to unnecessary risk. To aid in fall prevention, take a critical eye to your current home and see what areas could be updated or enhanced to keep you safer. Do bathrooms and stairs have appropriate railings? Does certain furniture or flooring present a tripping hazard? Is there adequate lighting?

You may also want to consider looking at options outside of your current home that have been designed with all these things in mind. In communities such as those within The Ridge Senior Living family, residences and common spaces alike are optimized for elderly fall prevention. These communities also offer supportive programming that can help you maintain your healthy independence longer, and surround you with integrated emergency response systems that can be a saving grace in the event of a fall.

Maintain regular hearing and vision checks.

A senior woman undergoing an eye exam.

When it comes to spatial awareness, the two most important senses are sight and sound. Work with the appropriate specialists to ensure you’re handling any hearing and vision needs in the best possible manner. Listen to the advice of these experts about the specific impact of any visual or auditory impairments, find out how corrective devices can affect your stability, and ask for tailored recommendations on how to prevent falls based on unique perspectives.

Don’t be afraid of seeking extra support.

A senior elderly woman enjoying a walk outside with the assistance of a walker.

Fall prevention for seniors doesn’t have to fall solely on the shoulders of the individual. With everything we’ve outlined here, you should absolutely employ the help of family and friends to alleviate stress, and allow you to become more quickly prepared to protect yourself from the risk of falling. You also shouldn’t shy away from using assistive devices such as a cane, walker or fall alarm. Rather than feeling that the use of such equipment will be a hindrance, consider that by helping you feel more comfortable and confident in your mobility, they can actually increase your independence.

Your primary care doctor may also recommend additional consultation with occupational or physical therapists to determine the preventive tools and devices that best suit your needs. In any case, solutions that can be personalized to your lifestyle will always have a valuable impact on your own fall prevention efforts.