Prevent falls - Tips to avoid falling

Prevent falls Tips for those over 50. Each year after age 35 we lose 1% of our balance. That is why so many seniors have unexpected falls. By the time you are 68, you have lost 37% of you natural balance. BUT you can regain much of your balance and flexibility by taking 3 minutes a day to do balance exercises in your kitchen or living room. They are NOT difficult. And you will be surprised at how quickly you can improve.

There is a link to balance exercises at the bottom of this page. Be sure to click on it so you can start your 2 min. exercise today.

Here are some other important things to do if you want to Prevent Falls after age 50.

1. Bring all your prescriptions to your next doctor's appointment. As your health care provider to review what you are taking with an eye to preventing falls. You may also want to ask if you still need to be taking each prescription. Often the reason for a drug is past and your doctor may not even realize that you are still taking a prescription.
2. Get your vision checked once a year. As we age we can have changes in vision and should have a change in glasses (or for some begin to wear glasses), cataracts can develop or other eye problems start that interfere with good vision. Sometimes these conditions develop so slowly we are not aware of them....until we miss a curb or step and take a fall.
3. Wear shoes - both inside and outside the house. You may have been able to go barefoot or wear bedroom slippers when you were 30 but the Department of Health and Aging urges you to wear shoes if you want to Prevent falls. Be sure your day by day shoes are 'sensible'. Walking shoes. Those sold in sports stores give good support and are often an excellent buy for the money. Safety!
4. Stand at your front door and check the pathway into your house, out to the kitchen and into your bedroom. It should be clear - no coffee tables, chairs or magazine racks on your walking path. Also be sure that ALL electric cords are along walls and that none, not even phone cords, are in any walking path.
5. If you have rugs or carpets be sure that all edges are securely fastened to the floor. As one homeowner said, "Better a bit of 'ugly' than a broken hip" - thought not all tack down material is ugly. Some comes in real decorator styles..
6. Install a low watt night light in your bedroom and the bathroom. You may want a low watt lamp next to your bed but having a night light will ensure that you have some light as soon as you awaken. You need a low watt light in the bathroom. This is important. Most bathroom falls take place at night. A person comes in, turns on the light. It is too bright and momentarily blinds them and they fall - bathroom falls often end in broken bones. A low watt light is essential.
7. Shower and bathtub should have grab bars. Have these professionally installed so you are certain they are anchored to a stud and will not pull out with a sudden pull if you lose your balance.
8. Add a non-slip mat to your bath tub. These are inexpensive and worth using even if you have a 'no slip tub' since these tubs often wear and DO become slippery if you make a sudden move. better to spend a few dollars on your safety.
9. Kitchen - put the things you use regularly on easy to reach shelves. If you need a step stool be sure to get one that is sturdy AND has a bar to hold onto.
10. Wipe up all spills immediately and be sure the area is completely dry before you walk on it.
11. Stairs. Be sure these are well lighted - especially in the morning or late afternoon. Be sure any stair covering is securely tacked down and that hand rails are solid - do not move when you grab them.

Having checked your home or apartment to Prevent falls, you now need to do 1 - 3 min of fall prevention exercises each day. Go to Prevent falls with these simple moves each day

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