Tips for Falls

Schedule a Home Visit to review these fall prevention tips:
  • Exercise is vital to maintain balance and strength. Regular exercise can help you greatly reduce your frequency of falls or even help you prevent falls.
    • Check your medications with your doctor or pharmacist (even over-the-counter medicines). Some medicines may make you sleepy or dizzy increasing your risk of a fall. This is a list of inappropriate medicines.
  • Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor.
    • Examples of what different vision problems can look like
  • Get up slowly after you sit or lie down.
  • Wear shoes both inside and outside-avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.
    • Look at our Shoe Guide if you are unsure about your shoes.
  • Have uniform lighting in rooms
    • Add light to dark areas, and hang lightweight curtains/shades to reduce glare.
  • Paint a contrasting color on the top edge of all steps so you can see the stairs better.
  • See your physician if you experience a loss of hearing, it may just be wax build-up, but hearing loss can cause dizziness and balance problems.
  • Use a walking aid that has rubber on the bottom.
    • Keep it by the bed at night in case you need to get up.
  • Proper nutrition is also important in helping to prevent falls.
  • Fill out this home checklist to see if you can help protect yourself from a fall at home by doing simple improvements. (Adapted from the CDC)

Other Safety Tips

  • Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone.
  • Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can't get up.
  • Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you fall and can't get up.
  • Keep a record of all your falls including-date, time, circumstance, what was hit (i.e. - head, arm, leg), and any injury that resulted. 
 
Further Resources: