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Fight the fall

Let’s get FYZICAL and fight the fall!

Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, 1 but less than half tell their doctor. 2 Falling once doubles your chances of falling again. 3

Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the greater their chances of falling.

Healthcare providers can help cut down a person’s risk by reducing the fall risk factors listed below.

  • Lower body weakness
  • Vitamin D deficiency (that is, not enough vitamin D in your system)
  • Difficulties with walking and balance
  • Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet.
  • Vision problems
  • Foot pain or poor footwear
  • Home hazards or dangers such as
    • broken or uneven steps, and
    • throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.

Facts about Falls:

  • One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury,4,5
  • Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.6
  • Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.6
  • Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.7
  • More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,8 usually by falling sideways.9
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).10
  • In 2015, the total medical costs for falls was greater than $50 billion.11 Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.
  • At this current rate, by 2030 there could be 7 fall deaths every hour.

Falls can be prevented. These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself from falling:

 

Talk to Your Doctor

  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your riskfor falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicinesto see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.
  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about taking vitamin D

Do Strength and Balance Exercises

 

Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider for a referral to Physical Therapy for fall risk assessment and balance training.

Have Your Eyes Checked

 

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.

If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

Make Your Home Safer

  • Get rid of things you could trip over.
  • Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
  • Put railings on both sides of stairs.
  • Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs. 

              The above information is provided by the CDC website.

Physical Therapy is an excellent starting point for evaluation and treatment of falls, weakness, gait abnormality and even home safety. Do not wait until you suffer a fall. If you are feeling weak or noticing decline in your level of activity, feeling fearful of falling and therefore limiting activity; decreased steadiness with walking – do not wait! Come to FYZICAL for a balance assessment, balance training and fall prevention education.  

At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, our therapists realize how important balance and walking is for independent living, as well as for work activities, exercise, sports and enjoying life. We have developed a world-class balance rehabilitation program that can be tailored to each person’s individual needs. We can help you Love Your Life!