We’re all going to get old someday, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer an injury from a fall as we age. As it stands now, one in three people over the age of 65 will fall, and 2 million of those adults are treated in emergency rooms for injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But, there are steps you can take to help prevent an older loved one from suffering a fall-related injury.
Fall Prevention Tips
- Make sure they can see. It’s a lot easier to avoid possible fall dangers if you can see them around you. Make sure your loved one keeps their eye check-ups up to date, and has the correct glasses and/or contact prescriptions so they can see clearly.
- Keep active. Regular exercise is one of the easiest ways to help prevent injury. Strong legs decrease the chance of you suffering a fall, and an exercise like yoga can improve balance and strength.
- Monitor their medications. A variety of medications can lead to dizziness or drowsiness in your loved one, so make sure you know what the side effects are. Have a pharmacist or doctor go over their medications and ensure that there are no risky combinations.
- Get rid of the fall hazards in their home. Half of all elderly falls occur in the home, so a fall hazard safety check is always in order. Look for tripping hazards like stools, rugs, table legs, areas of poor lighting, and clutter.
Falls don’t have to happen if you are diligent in keeping your loved one active and safe.
Parrish Law Firm, PLLC personal injury attorney works with northern Virginia residents who have suffered injuries as the result of another party’s negligence. Contact us today for a free case consultation, or call us at 703-906-4229.
A representative of Parrish Law Firm, PLLC researched and wrote this article with Mr. Parrish’s consent. If you have any questions regarding the legal implications of what you have just read, please send us your question by clicking here so we can have our attorney review it.
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