Falls, and the fear of falling, threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.
Falls are the leading cause of injuries for older Americans and cost Medicare and Medicaid over $38 billion per year.
Beyond the monetary cost, a fall is often the precipitating incident that causes an older adult to lose their mobility, independence, or even their life.
Even just the fear of falling can have a negative quality of life impact. Older adults who fear falling often limit their activities and social engagement resulting in further physical decline, increased depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.
While one in four seniors in the U.S. fall each year, falls do not have to be inevitable as you age. There are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls.
Complete a free online falls checkup.
- Older adults can complete a short online survey that screens for the most common falls risk factors. Once you complete the survey, you’ll receive a falls risk score and a plan that can be shared with your doctor or others for further action to prevent falls. The online falls checkup can be accessed at bit.ly/free-fall-checkup.
Talk to your doctor.
- Ask your doctor to evaluate your riskof falling and talk with them about specific things you can do to minimize your risk.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.
- Ask your doctor about exercises that will make your legs stronger or improve your balance.
Have your eyes checked.
- Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.
- Sometimes bifocal or progressive lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are and cause a fall. If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, consider getting a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking.
Make your home safer.
- Get rid of things you could trip over such as throw rugs or footstools.
- Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
- Put railings on both sides of stairs.
- Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs. Consider installing motion sensor night lights in your bedroom, hallways, and bathrooms.
To help reduce the number of falls in our community, Agency on Aging offers a class series called A Matter of Balance. The class provides practical strategies to prevent falls, reduce the fear of falling, and increase activity levels.
Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable; set realistic goals to increase activity; change their environment to reduce risk factors; learn how to get up properly after a fall; and learn exercises to increase strength and balance.
The Matter of Balance class series includes six two-hour sessions led by trained volunteer coaches. The next class series will be held on Mondays, October 3rd through November 21st at 2900 Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph from 10:00 AM to noon.
If you are concerned about falls in our community and want to be part of the solution, consider becoming a Matter of Balance volunteer coach. You do not need to have prior experience or falls-prevention knowledge to be a volunteer coach. Volunteer training is provided and consists of two half-day sessions.
To register for the next A Matter of Balance class, or learn more about becoming a volunteer coach, contact Julie Schwarz at (269) 982-7759 or [email protected]