4 Essential Tips on Reducing Your Risk of Falling
Every year, one in three adults aged 65 or older will suffer a fall. Not only is taking a tumble quite discouraging – and painful! – but falling can lead to greater health issues such as bone fractures and head trauma, especially for those who don’t seek treatment.
aged 65 or older will suffer a fall. Not only is taking a tumble quite discouraging – and painful! – but falling can lead to greater health issues such as bone fractures and head trauma, especially for those who don’t seek treatment.
The good news is that there are many things you can do in order to reduce your risk of tumbling, as well as actions you can take to keep your body in tiptop shape. Here are a few things to try:
Get plenty of (age-appropriate!) exercise. Maintaining an active lifestyle will not only keep your weight under control, but will also give you the strength and balance needed to help prevent you from falling. Not all exercise is created equally for seniors, however. This article points out how low-impact exercise like swimming is beneficial because it doesn’t put stress on your joints, but still gives you a cardio and strength training workout all in one session.
Maintaining an active lifestyle will not only keep your weight under control, but will also give you the strength and balance needed to help prevent you from falling. Not all exercise is created equally for seniors, however. This article points out how like swimming is beneficial because it doesn’t put stress on your joints, but still gives you a cardio and strength training workout all in one session.
It’s also important to feed your body the nutrients it craves. In order for your body to run at peak performance, you’ve got to give it the right fuel. The National Institute on Aging provides information on the most important vitamins and minerals our bodies need as we age. Not only is this important in preventing falls, but it’s also critical for giving our bodies the ability to recover should we stumble.
In order for your body to run at peak performance, you’ve got to give it the right fuel. provides information on the most important vitamins and minerals our bodies need as we age. Not only is this important in preventing falls, but it’s also critical for giving our bodies the ability to recover should we stumble.
Be mindful of medication. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for any medicines you take so your medication will be effective, but also so you don’t suffer from any harmful side effects. Many prescriptions come with risks that may include dizziness, fatigue or muscle weakness, all of which may cause you to fall. If you are experiencing any troubling side effects, let your doctor know immediately.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for any medicines you take so your medication will be effective, but also so you don’t suffer from any . Many prescriptions come with risks that may include dizziness, fatigue or muscle weakness, all of which may cause you to fall. If you are experiencing any troubling side effects, let your doctor know immediately.
Adjust your abode. Although our minds and bodies change with age, our homes do not – and they should! Home modifications that make mobility easy throughout your home can be essential in helping to prevent falls. This resource suggests some of the home repairs you should consider for your safety and peace of mind.
Although our minds and bodies change with age, our homes do not – and they should! Home modifications that make mobility easy throughout your home can be essential in helping to prevent falls. This resource suggests some of the you should consider for your safety and peace of mind.
Although falling is a risk for many seniors, we can still take necessary steps to help ensure our safety. The saying may be “home sweet home,” but there’s no reason it shouldn’t be called “home safe home,” too!
Vee Cecil is a wellness coach, bootcamp instructor, and all-around health enthusiast. When she isn’t training clients or playing outside with her family, she is working on her recently-launched blog where she shares her favorite wellness tips and recipes.