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Positive Steps Toward Preventing Falls
Every year in the United States, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls, with the majority suffering a serious injury as a result. Not all falls are solely the result of getting older; and with a little care, most falls can be prevented!
While normal changes of aging such as poor eyesight and decreased hearing contribute to falls, you can decrease your risk, or the risk of a loved one’s serious injury, by taking the following positive steps:
- Wear shoes with no-skid soles.
- Decrease the number of dark spots in your home, eliminating the possibility of tripping over an unseen object.
- Remove your throw rugs or fasten them to the floor with carpet tape.
- Install grab bars in your bathtub, shower and toilet area.
And combat against the pesky changes to your body caused by aging that can add to the likelihood of a fall:
- Schedule an annual appointment to have your eyes checked for vision changes, cataracts, glaucoma and other eye problems.
- Having your hearing checked every two years or at the onset of any perceived hearing changes.
- Tell your doctor of any feelings of dizziness, weakness or confusion.
- Get some exercise to increase your strength and balance.