(StatePoint) A fall can result in unwanted outcomes, including injury, loss of independence, and a decreased ability to do the things that are most important to you or a loved one. Each year, 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Even falls that don’t lead to injury can provoke a fear of falling that causes you to avoid the activities that keep you healthy, strong, and ultimately less likely to fall. While falls are dangerous, the good news is that experts say they’re largely preventable.
“While many factors can contribute to our chances of falling as we get older, falling is not a normal part of aging,” says physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson Greg Hartley, PT, DPT. “Working with a physical therapist can empower you or a loved one to regain balance and strength.”
The American Physical Therapy Association offers the following simple steps to reduce your risk of falling:
Get moving
For older adults, physical activity reduces the risk of falling and fall-related injuries. Stay active to maintain the strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance needed to prevent falls. From swimming to yoga to walking, take part in a variety of physical activities that you enjoy. Talk to your physical therapist to determine which activities are safe for you.
Know your risks
A physical therapist can help you assess your risk factors and develop a plan to address them so you can remain independent. Tell your doctor or physical therapist if you have any dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble seeing. Be sure to tell them whether you fell in the last year.
Check your medications
Many drugs can cause dizziness, loss of balance, blurry vision, and more. If you have any of these symptoms, review your medications with your pharmacist or doctor.
Assess your home’s safety
Assess your home to fix or remove anything that could cause trips or slips, such as throw rugs, clutter, poor lighting, and wobbly furniture or handrails. It’s also a good idea to install a secure grab bar in the shower and next to the toilet for sturdy support on slippery floors. If you can’t make these safety improvements yourself, ask a friend or family member to help. Check with your doctor, physical therapist, or area agency on aging for local programs that offer home safety assessments.
Work with a physical therapist
Physical therapy (with exercise) focused on balance, stability, and the ability to perform common tasks is recommended and can prevent falls, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Physical therapists are able to help you avoid a fall in the first place, as they are movement experts who can work with you to assess your fall risk factors and develop a plan to address them. They will advise you on making your home safer, educate you about medical risk factors linked to falls, and design a safe balance training program specific to you.
To learn more about the hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement that a physical therapist can provide, visit www.ChoosePT.com, where you can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit ChoosePT.com/FindaPT. With the right resources and support, you can reduce your risk of a fall and maintain your quality of life.
READ MORE: During Falls Prevention Awareness Week, NCOA Reminds Older Adults to Check their Risk
