Fall-Proof Yourself. Fall-Proof Your Environment
While falls may seem like an inevitable part of life and aging, they don’t have to be. In fact, they shouldn’t be. Each year, over 3 million adults are treated for serious fall-related injuries, making it essential to know how to fall-proof both yourself and your environment. By learning how to prevent falls and properly prepare your body, you can live with confidence—without the fear of falling.
Fall-Proofing Yourself
Exercise regularly. Walking is a simple exercise that is good for heart and bone health and will keep you strong and confident navigating the world. Strength, mobility, and balance exercises are equally important. Tai Chi, for example, has been shown to prevent falls.
Check your feet and footwear. Wear properly fitting, sturdy, flat shoes with slip-resistant soles. Have a pair of shoes just to wear in the house as well. Slippers can make us slip!
Have your vision and hearing checked yearly. Even small changes in vision and hearing are linked to an increased risk for falls. If you’re prescribed glasses or hearing aids—wear them!
Speak with your healthcare provider about your medications. Some medications can increase your risk of falling. While you might not be able to change those, being aware of the risk can help you prevent falls.
Build strong bones. Build strong bones by using weight bearing exercise and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D as medicine!
Fall-Proofing Your Environment
Remove trip-and-fall hazards in your home such as cords and clutter. Don’t leave books, paper, or clothes on the floor.
Create a clear walking path in each room. Arrange your furniture so that you have plenty of space to walk. Keep any electrical cords near walls and away from your walking paths.
Prevent wet or slippery floors. Clean up spills immediately, even when it’s not convenient. In the winter, treat outdoor walkways with an ice melt product or sand to make them less slippery.
Install slip-resistant shower chairs and mats in your bathing area. These can be found at hardware stores or may be covered by your insurance!
Use a cane or walker when recommended by your healthcare provider.
Stay Strong, Stay Confident, Stay Fall Free
Falls are not an inevitable part of life—they are often preventable with the right strategies. For more information on fall-proofing, safety plans, what to do if you fall, and additional resources, please refer to our flipbook linked below.
