You Can Prevent Falls

Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury for older Americans.

According to information reported by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an older adult American, aged 65 or older, is treated in an emergency room for a fall every 15 seconds! NCOA reports that a growing number of older adults fear falling, and as a result, self-limit activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

Following are some fall prevention tips that may help to maintain balance and mobility.

Strengthen Muscles
Age-related muscle weakness and deteriorating balance lead to falls. As we age, many people tend to reduce their physical activity, which is a mistake. Take daily walks and do stretching and balance exercises while steadying yourself with a sturdy chair. Even better, investigate local free gym memberships frequently offered to seniors through their insurance plans, and add resistance (weights or bodyweight) training to maintain muscle strength.

Check Your Vision
Poor vision is a major contributor to falls for the elderly. Be sure to have regular vision checkups and update glasses as needed. With diminished visual input, important information the body needs for maintaining balance is reduced or lost.

Fall-proof Your Home
Instead of one little change at a time, make fall-proofing your living space a serious project. Make a TO-DO list and check items off as you complete them. Here is a suggested list to get you started:

• Remove small rugs that are a tripping hazard
• Clear halls and pathways from clutter
• Improve lighting anywhere necessary, especially on stairs and pathways (plug-in motion-sensor and dark-activated lights are recommended)
• Place small flashlights in every room where you can easily access them in the dark or during power failures
• Move frequently used items to shelves within easy reach
• Replace unsteady step stools with new, extra sturdy stools with grip bars
• Repair or replace any uneven floors, especially door sills
• Add stair railings everywhere they are missing, preferably on both sides of the stairs, and NEVER climb stairs without one hand on the railing
• Install secure grip bars to bathtubs and showers (avoid temporary suction cup type grip bars as they may fail when needed most)
• Add a shower/tub chair to make entering and exiting easier and safer

Become fall aware to avoid becoming one of the fall-incurred emergency room visits that could change your life.

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Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors.

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The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

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