A fall can result in an injury and a decrease in your ability to do your everyday things. Falls can diminish an individual’s ability to live an independent life. According to the CDC, over 800,000 patients are hospitalized yearly because of a fall injury. Suffering a fall can result in serious injuries like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. In addition, as people age, their bones become weaker and more brittle, making them more likely to break a bone. Falling once also doubles your chances of falling again.
One of the most serious fall injuries is a broken hip. Each year 300,000 older people – those 65 and older – are hospitalized for hip fractures. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. After suffering a broken hip, it makes it nearly impossible for people to live on their own.
While falls can happen anywhere, more than half of them happen in an individual’s home. Fall Prevention Week (September 18th – September 24th) is a week dedicated to raising awareness that most falls can be preventable. Here are some suggestions to lower your risk of falling.
Fall Safety Tips:
- Stay physically active to improve strength and balance
Exercising will improve your overall strength, which will help keep your muscles strong, support healthy bones, and enhance stability. It will also improve the overall quality of life for older adults, including their memory.
- Remove risks at home
Examine your home for possible hazards and remove any items that could make you trip like throw rugs, electrical cords, etc.
- Talk to your healthcare provider
Your healthcare provider can evaluate your risks of falling and talk with you about specific things you can do to prevent them.
You can also prevent a fall by seeing a physical therapist. Physical therapy can improve your balance, muscle strength, and endurance. Our physical therapist will develop a specialized program for each patient for them to remain independent.
In the event of a fall, any fall, no matter how little or severe, should be reported to a healthcare provider. In addition, if you have a history of falling, loss of balance, or are worried about falling, you should consult a physical therapist or your healthcare provider. When visiting our physical therapist, they will educate you on how you can best manage your risks of falling. If you are worried about falling, our physical therapist will also be able to work with you to build your confidence back and help you get back to the activities you may have been avoiding because you were worried about falling.
Fall Prevention Programs aim to
- Increase independence with daily activities
- Increase independence with functional mobility
- Decrease fall risks
- Prevent future falling
- Increase safety
Read more about the fall prevention programs that will keep you on your feet here.
Individuals should not let the fear of falling limit their independence. Limiting your activity and staying home won’t prevent you from a fall. By taking the right precautions and improving your strength and balance, you can better prevent yourself from falling. If you are concerned about your health or the risk of falling, request an appointment with one of our physical therapists today!
