Seniors: Preventing Falls Could Save Your Life

Falling can’t always be avoided; however, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. And, when doing so, you’re taking steps toward a healthier future. Did you know that one out of every three seniors fall every year? Falls are responsible for two million emergency room visits that can also result in brain injury, hip fractures, and total loss of independence sometime during the first year after the fall.

How You Can Prevent Falls

• Look at your medications. A single medication, or a mix of them, can cause dizziness and drowsiness, a dangerous combination and one that is likely to cause you to fall. Talk with your doctor about how you can minimize this risk and discuss side effects.
  
• Stay physically fit. It’s not just for heart health, it’s also to strengthen muscles, improve coordination and balance. Doctors recommend seniors get 2.5 hours of exercise every week, and this will help you keep your balance and avoid those falls. Consider activities such as yoga, and tai-chi.
  
• Keep your home safe. You spend most of your time in your home. So, it only stands to reason that you’re most likely to fall – inside your home. Make your home a safer place to be by installing grab bars, extra hand rails, improve the lighting in hallways and in every room, and make sure carpets and throw rugs are sufficiently tacked down.
  
• Keep your bones healthy. Strong muscles are just the first step toward preventing falls; you also want to keep your bones healthy. Do this by consuming an adequate amount of calcium. This means that women over the age of 50, and men over the age of 70 should have 1,200 mg per day. While, men between 50 and 70 should consume 1,000 mg per day.

Always Best Care is a premier provider of senior care services in Canada and the United States. In the industry for 20 years, they have provided assistance to over 25,000 seniors in their numerous locations around North America. If you live in the North Vancouver area and would like information about in-home care in Burnaby, or other options regarding home health care in North Vancouver, call the Always Best Care North Vancouver branch at 778-945-3010 today to set up your free care consultation.