Elephant in the Room: How Can I Avoid Falls?

February 28, 2022

 

Avoiding falls? That sounds much easier to say than to do! Falls can happen so quickly that we’re usually admiring the clouds before we can even say, “Oops!”

Injuries from falls can impact our independence, so we should at least try to avoid them. One of the greatest tools we can use to reduce and prevent falls is to understand why we had a fall. Knowledge helps us to be proactive. There are many root causes of falls, such as muscle weakness, balance deficits, underlying medical conditions, adverse medication reactions, visual disturbances, and many more.

Find Senior Living Near Me

 

Let’s check out some ways we can reduce those dreaded falls.

Here are 7 Tips for Being Fall-free:

1. Stay strong. If you can exercise, even a little, keep doing it. If you don’t use it, you may lose it. Try to maintain your muscle mass, which, after age 30, sadly, most of us begin to lose. Stay limber and stretch. Even if you don’t feel like taking a walk, do a little stretch or range of motion exercise to help you maintain your balance. At Edgewood, our life enrichment teams strive to find ways to work in exercise opportunities and to make them fun and engaging. It’s hardly exercise when it’s disguised as fun!

If exercise causes you additional pain or increases your risk for falls, consider the addition of outpatient physical therapy services. Physical and occupational therapies are designed to help you improve your strength and balance.2. Visit your doctor. Try to remain up to date with vision and hearing visits to make sure you’re able to see and hear what’s in your path.

If you find yourself rushing overnight to the restroom or experiencing incontinence, please contact your doctor to determine if there’s a root cause or medical solution.

If you find yourself feeling weak, out of balance, or falling, a visit to your doctor is a very good idea so that you can evaluate the reason for your falls. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe outpatient therapy, as we previously discussed.

3. Review Your Meds. Discuss medications and their side effects with your doctor. If you take medications that could cause you to fall, ask your doctor if there is an opportunity to reduce or discontinue those medications.

4. Make Sure Your Path is Safe. While rugs look fancy and they tie the room together, be sure you don’t risk injury because they cause you to trip. If you opt for area rugs in your home, ensure they stay securely on the floor. If you have slippery stairs at home that you can’t avoid using, having slip-resistant rubber mats installed can help to give you traction.

5. Wear Supportive Shoes and Slippers. You don’t have to sacrifice style for a fall, but appropriately sized shoes with good grips can be very helpful in fall prevention.

6. Keep the Lights on. Poor lighting can cause falls and frustration. If there are areas of your home that could use a night light, plug some in. Many intelligent lighting options are on the market these days, from motion-detector lighting to voice-activated and smart-home technology options.

7. Get Some Gadgets. Securely installed grab bars in showers and dual railings around staircases are very helpful. Be sure that the grab bars and railings are secure! Avoid stick-on grab bars in showers. They’re easy to install but may not provide the support you need to stay safe.

 Consider a reacher stick for picking up fallen items. 

If you have fallen or are afraid of falling because you live alone, consider a personal emergency pendant system. These systems allow you to wear a discreet bracelet or necklace that allows you to easily call for help with the press of a button should you need it for a fall or any emergency.

Facts on Falls:

Disclaimer: these are sobering facts from the CDC.

At some Edgewood communities, we are working with a new software created by Aspire Clinical Intelligence.  Aspire has partnered with our electronic health record software to highlight areas of risk for our residents, including fall risk.

If the software from Aspire Clinical Intelligence highlights you as someone who is at risk for falling, it uses clinical best practices to suggest actions to address this concern. These actions may include specific treatment interventions from the senior living clinical services team and/or connection to additional healthcare providers for further assessment and treatment.  In short, this software helps our care staff identify who is at risk for falls to try to minimize them.

If you or someone you love are in need of interventions to prevent falling, such as outpatient therapy services, or you’d like to tour an Edgewood assisted living or memory care community, please reach out to us at info@edgewoodhealthcare.com. We have much to offer in terms of both senior living and short-term care services for seniors who prefer to live safely at home.

More Recent Posts

View All News
Senior females seated at table

April 22, 2025

Cherish Every Chapter: Finding Friendship and Joy in Senior Living

Struggling with loneliness? You’re not alone. Friendship and connection are key to a happy, healthy life—especially as we age. Discover how senior living makes it easier to build meaningful relationships and stay engaged.

Read More
Female residents and staff picutred with pies

April 14, 2025

Medicare & Medicaid Explained: Easy As Pie!

  It can be hard to keep things straight when we’re not feeling our best, so let’s break down Medicare and Medicaid—two vital programs that often cause confusion. Understanding the difference could save you time and money and help you make informed healthcare decisions.       Medicare: What Is It?   Medicare is a […]

Read More
Female wearing brightly colored printed shirt holding a suitcase

April 7, 2025

Make the Most of Your Snowbird Adventures!

If you’re a seasoned snowbird, you probably look forward to your journey all year. Escaping the challenges of winter for a bright, sunny paradise full of hobbies sounds both relaxing and thrilling—but only if your health and abilities allow.   To truly enjoy any experience, it’s essential to feel your best. Your favorite restaurants, destinations, […]

Read More
Senior female residents enjoying lunch in the dining room.

March 27, 2025

More Than a Meal: Helping Seniors Eat Well & Stay Happy

Mealtime is more than just eating—it’s an experience, a time for connection, and a source of comfort. Think about how holiday meals bring families together, filling the room with warmth, laughter, and shared stories. Now, imagine sitting down to eat alone. Unfortunately, this is a daily reality for many seniors, and it can significantly impact […]

Read More