When you think about falls, you may not always think about the impact a fall can have on the person who falls, the relationships they have with their family and friends and the lifestyle changes that could result from a fall. Falls are not a normal part of aging – and they can be prevented. If you suffered a fall, how would that impact you?

One of the themes common to falls is the fear of falling and the fear of losing independence. To face our fears about falling and losing our independence, we will have to be proactive and concentrate on fall prevention. So where do you start? How do you know what items you should be concerned about? Let’s try to simplify how to look at fall prevention.

Falls can be broken down into three key areas that impact everyone every day – the three H’s: home, health and habits.

Home

Begin by assessing the room(s) that you spend most of your time in every day.

Assess for:

• Poor lighting – LED bulbs provide brighter, more efficient lighting, and you may want to consider your need for nightlights.
• Tripping hazards – Be aware of tripping hazards like throw rugs, uneven surfaces, cords, clutter, etc.
• Unsafe stairs – Do you have available handrails, are the edges of steps highly visible and is there lighting at the top and bottom of your stairs?
• Bathroom – Are you using a non-slip mat in the shower/tub or grab bars by the shower/tub and toilet?

Health

• Are you active daily? This will help with muscle strength and balance.
• Have you had an annual vision and hearing test?
• Stay hydrated to prevent low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue and confusion.
• Do you know the side effects of your medication? A common side effect can be dizziness.

Habits

• Discuss any concerns about falls with your physician. They are here to help keep you independent.
• Keep at least one hand free for balance while walking.
• Wear well-fitting shoes with non-skid soles.
• Move slowly when you get out of your bed or chair.

By keeping these things in mind, you can greatly reduce your risk of an accidental fall and help maintain your independence. If you or a loved one is interested in learning more about fall prevention, Aultman offers a Matter of Balance class that helps educate people on how to protect themselves from accidental falls. To learn more or sign up for the Matter of Balance class, contact Lori Leonard, injury prevention and outreach coordinator, trauma services, at 330-363-6186.