You can take charge of your health today and reduce your risk of falls. Here's how you can start.
Falling is the leading cause of injury in people aged 65 years and over. Falling can cause injury, pain, loss of confidence, and fear of falling. These factors in turn can reduce activity levels, quality of life and independence.
Almost 75% of people report slips, trips, and loss of balance as the cause of their fall.
The good news is that these factors can be dramatically improved. Strength, flexibility, balance, and reaction time are the easiest risk factors to address.
Am I at risk of falling?
Being at risk, does not mean you will have a fall. If you have one or more of the following risk factors, you can take action to address them. Take extra care when completing certain tasks too. The risk factors for falls include:
- Poor balance
- A history of falls
- Slow reaction time
- Muscle weakness
- Poor eyesight
- Limited mobility or reduced sensation in legs and feet
- Medical conditions (e.g. stroke and Parkinson’s disease)
How can I prevent a fall?
Your risk of falling can be significantly reduced by:
- Staying active through safe exercise programs that include strength and balance training
- Regular sight and hearing tests
- Taking your time – Getting up quickly can sometimes make you feel wobbly or lightheaded
- Reviewing medication side effects with your doctor
- Removing trip hazards and being careful on slippery floors
- Choosing the right footwear with non-slip soles – Avoid walking in socks, shoes, or slippers with smooth soles
- Always seeking medical attention if you’ve had a fall, even if you aren’t hurt and feel okay
The benefits of exercise
Exercise can prevent falls in older people by decreasing many risk factors. Some of the benefits of exercise include:
- Building strength
- Improving balance
- Boosting confidence
- Improving mobility
- Improving reaction times
- Improving mental ability and mood
Staying active helps prevent falls
Getting older could mean that even the thought of exercising is challenging. You might not know the safest way to start a new routine. You might worry about your body or your balance. You might be living with pain or a chronic condition.
