Tips for Preventing Falls at Home

Did you know? Millions of adults over the age of 65 suffer a fall each year, and many end up sustaining serious injuries that negatively impact lives.

The most common injuries in these situations are broken bones, including a broken hip, which can put elderly people at an increased risk of death.

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to prevent falls and potential serious injuries. Our AFC Urgent Care Monroe Road team highlights some helpful prevention tactics below.

• Here’s what to do: Install grab bars. Whether they’re in your home or in a loved one’s home, grab bars are a simple tool to allow for safer mobility and the ability to navigate and enjoy the home.

• What to do next: Make sure your indoor space is well-lit. No matter your age, it is tough to see in a dark space. If you have dim light bulbs, replace them with brighter ones. If you don’t want brighter overhead lighting, add more lamps.

• What to do after: Remove tripping hazards. Walkways should be clear of electric cords, pet toys or any other hazards. Additionally, some of the biggest problems to watch for are throw rugs that can flip and move. If there are lots of rugs in the home, put a sticky rub mat underneath to prevent them from flipping up.

• Something else to keep in mind: Chair sturdiness. Chairs in the home should be sturdy and have armrests that make it easy to stand up. If you have an old, wobbly chair, replace it or have it repaired.

• Another tip: Wear safe footwear. What you wear on your feet in the home can play a big role in increasing or decreasing the risk of falling. Wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles or socks with rubber grips on the bottom.

• One more thing: Wear appropriate eyewear. If you have poor eyesight, get glasses or contacts. If you have glasses or contacts, make sure the prescriptions are up to date to lower your fall risk.

• Action steps to take: Stay physically active. Maintaining a routine of regular physical exercise will strengthen the body, which will lower your fall risk. It also helps keep your joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, which can improve balance.

• Doctor recommendations: An underrated way to lower your risk of falling is by getting an adequate amount of sleep. Aim to get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Have you fallen, or has a loved one fallen? If so, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Monroe Road center to get an X-ray! We’re here for you and your family now and always.