Falls Prevention for Older Adults

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older adults. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs. Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness. However, falls are NOT a normal part of aging. Falls are preventable! 

Tips to Reduce Fall Risk

• Talk to your health care provider. Openly share your concerns and any history of recent falls. Your provider can assess your risk of falls and provide you with recommendations to reduce your risk.
• Exercise regularly. Exercises that focus on balance and strength training, such as Tai Chi, can reduce the risk of falling. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting new exercises, especially if you have weak balance or have a history of falls. View balance and strength exercise examples here.
• Regularly review your medications with your pharmacist and primary healthcare provider (at least annually, preferably any time you add/change a medication).  Some prescriptions, over the counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, other substances, and/or interactions between medications can cause side effects that may increase risk of a fall. Tell your provider and pharmacist about any problematic side effects right away. Learn more about medicines and fall risks here.
• Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses.  People with untreated vision or hearing losses are more than three times as likely to fall.
• Keep your home safe.  Remove tripping hazards, improve lighting, make stairs safe and install grab bars in key areas. See the Aspirus Health Home Safety Checklist for tips for keys areas in your home.
• Talk to your family members and friends.  Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe. For example, ask them for help completing the Home Safety Checklist above, to join you at an exercise class, to go with you to an appointment, or to help you check that all of your footwear is safe.
• Learn about falls prevention programming, resources, and services available in your area. Great sources of information include your healthcare provider and your local Aging & Disability Resource Center, aging agency, health department or senior center.

Falls Are Preventable

Medications and Fall Risk