Preventing Falls

Falls pose a risk for seniors living at home and living in assisted living communities. Often a fall precipitates decline and causes a number of health issues. The good news is that falls are preventable!

The number one indicator of future falls is a past fall or near fall!

When a senior experiences a fall, they should call their primary care physician to rule out any serious injury and determine a cause for the fall. Seniors should pay close attention to the following risk factors and consult with their primary care physician if they have any of the following:

• They feel dizzy or lightheaded
• They have increased weakness
• They feel unsteady on their feet
• They have recently changed their medication regime
• They have recently had a major health event like a stroke, significant vision change or a surgery

All of these factors contribute to seniors' likelihood of falling and can be addressed through physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing under the direction of a doctor. In addition to therapy and nursing care, seniors can take some basic precautions to prevent falling in their homes.

• Take medications on time and as directed by their doctor
• Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water
• Make sure their home is free of obstacles that they may trip over
• Keep their homes well lit and use a nightlight
• Stay active and do exercises that increase endurance and build strength in the trunk and legs.

With any questions about how to prevent falls in your home, or your family member's home, go to www.millcreekhomehealth.com and click "Ask an Expert."