Falls A Common Cause of Injury

With winter upon us, you should take extra precaution to avoid slips and falls on the ice and snow. But falls can happen at anytime, and are a leading cause of injury among those 65 and older in the United States. There are some easy steps to take to help reduce your chances of falling.

Thirty percent of people over 65 will fall. Ninety percent of 300,000 yearly hip fractures are caused by falls. The number of falls and the severity of injury resulting from falls increases as people get older. The most common serious injuries are head injuries, wrist fractures, spine fractures and hip fractures.

Tips to avoid falls include:

Begin a regular exercise program. You’ll feel stronger and better; exercises like Tai Chi even help improve your balance and coordination. A lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chance of falling.

Make your home safer. About half of all falls occur in the home — lessen that statistic by removing things you can trip over, such as papers, books and clothes from places where you walk. Place a rubber mat in the bathtub, and remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep them from slipping. Improved lighting will also minimize falls by allowing you to see well.

Have your health care provider review your medicines. The effect of some medications can change as you age, causing drowsiness or lightheadedness and lead to a fall.

Finally, have your vision checked by an eye doctor. The wrong glasses or conditions like glaucoma or cataracts can limit your vision and thus increase your chances of falling.