Get the Facts on Fall Prevention

A fall can significantly impact your quality of life, leading to hospital stays, decreased confidence, and a fear of navigating your environment independently. 

The CDC estimates that falls resulted in more than 3 million emergency room visits and led to 38,000 deaths in adults over 65 in 2021. And, while age is a leading risk factor, people compromised by injury, stroke, or chronic movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease are also at increased risk.

Fortunately, you can do a lot to decrease your risk while maintaining an active life. Our team at DeyeNAMICS is happy to offer information about fall prevention strategies.

Key Fall Prevention Strategies

These fall prevention strategies can help you minimize risks and maintain mobility safely.

1. Home Safety Modifications

Your living space should be a secure environment that you can easily navigate. Consider these changes to help decrease your fall risk:

• Remove loose rugs, clutter, electrical cords, and other tripping hazards
• Secure grab bars near the toilet, shower, and bathtub
• Use a non-slip bath mat in the shower
• Make sure the lighting in hallways, staircases, and entryways is adequate
• Install handrails on both sides of the stairs

Occupational and physical therapists often offer comprehensive home evaluations to assess fall risks and provide guidance to reduce your risks.

2. Strength and Balance Exercises

Regular exercise improves muscle strength and balance, reducing fall risks.

Some effective activities include:

• Tai chi or yoga for balance and flexibility
• Building leg and core muscles with strength training
• Walking or swimming to enhance endurance
• Specific physical therapy exercises tailored to stroke or injury recovery

While these activities can help improve balance and mobility, check with your healthcare provider before beginning if you’re at increased fall risk.

3. Assistive Devices

Using appropriate support tools can make a significant difference. This may include canes, walkers, or orthopedic bracing for stability. Proper footwear with non-slip soles is also essential.

4. Medication Management

Some medications cause dizziness or drowsiness, increasing fall risk. Review your medications with a healthcare provider and discuss any adverse effects. While you should never stop medication without medical guidance, adjusting the dose or timing of the medication can reduce problems with balance or dizziness. 

Also, review your supplements with your physician, as some over-the-counter products can affect prescription medications.

5. Vision Checks

Sensory impairments contribute to falls, scheduling an eye exam can significantly help reduce your risk if you have noticed changes to your prescription. Additionally, some lens types, like bifocals and progressives, can alter depth perception and potentially increase your risk of falls.

Our services at DeyeNAMICS include therapies that help correct spatial awareness issues, reducing the risk of missteps and falls. They also include eEye movement exercises that can improve tracking and coordination, aiding in smoother motion perception and better balance.

6. Safe Transfers and Movement

Learning to move safely from one position to another can prevent falling. Helpful techniques include:

• Rising slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid dizziness
• Using armrests or support when standing up
• Sitting down to get dressed rather than standing
• Practicing safe bed-to-chair transfers

A physical or occupational therapist can provide safety guidance and training in techniques like safe transfers.  

7. Awareness of Environmental Changes

Stay aware of your environment and avoid uneven surfaces, wet floors, or icy sidewalks whenever possible. Also, avoid carrying large or heavy items that may obstruct your view or create balance issues.

What to do if You Fall

If you fall, stay calm and assess for injuries before getting up. If uninjured, roll onto your side and slowly get onto your hands and knees before using stable furniture to stand.

Call for help immediately if you suspect an injury. You may benefit from wearing a medical alert device for emergencies.

Schedule a visit at DeyeNAMICS for more information about the services we provide.