Preventing Falls: What You Can Do to Stay Safe
- Engage PT, OT, SLP Therapy and Wellness
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Every year, millions of adults 65 and older experience falls. One in 10 falls causes an injury that may require medical attention or lead to restricting activities. The rest of the falls (9 out of 10) might seem minor, but they should not be ignored. Even a small fall can be a warning sign that you need to take action.
Why? If you've already fallen once, your chances of falling again are doubled. A single fall can greatly affect your life, but the good news is that many falls and fall-related injuries are preventable. It all starts with assessing your health, home, and other factors.
Whether you are at high or low risk for falling, there are steps you can take to help prevent falls:
See your doctor or physical therapist regularly: Get an annual check-up to discuss your fall risk.
Make sure your home is safe: Eliminate hazards that could lead to a fall.
Maintain or build your strength and balance: Keeping your muscles and balance strong helps prevent falls.
Falls Free CheckUp
The National Council on Aging has a simple at-home self-assessment tool called the Falls Free CheckUp. It helps you think about:
Things that could cause a fall.
Steps you can take to prevent falls at home or while out and about.
Take the Falls Free CheckUp for yourself or for a family member. If the results show a high risk for falls, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a physical therapist or your doctor. They can help you create a plan to reduce your fall risk.
How a Physical Therapist Can Help
Physical therapists are experts in movement and can assess your balance, fitness, and other factors, like your home environment. They can create a safe exercise program to help you reduce your fall risk.
Physical therapists also teach you how to move safely and can recommend ways to improve your strength and balance. Many physical therapists, community groups, and activity centers offer fall prevention classes that help older adults improve balance and strength.
Call Engage Therapy and Wellness at 315-810-2423 to learn more about how our therapy team can help to get an evaluation and treatment plan tailored just for you.
Comments