Leaning On Your Wellness and Falls Prevention Team

September is Falls Prevention Month! There are several strategies you can take to help you prevent falls, whether it’s getting yourself physically prepared or leaning on your falls prevention team!

Your regular doctor, pharmacist, eye doctor, ear doctor, and trusted family members and friends can all be part of your wellness and falls prevention team. Here are some things to keep in mind when partnering with them:

1. When you see health care providers, bring and take notes, ask questions if you need to, and be honest. If you do fall, get checked out by a medical professional. This can be a sign of problems with or need for medication, a new medical problem, or poor eyesight, and they can suggest solutions. Medical professionals can suggest and advise you on using walkers or canes, or possibly give guidance if you use equipment from a friend.

   Falls are the leading cause of concussions for older adults and can have long-term health consequences, even if the symptoms don’t appear serious at the time.

   Talk to a trusted friend or family member about any concerns you might have. If asking for help, ask for specific, clear actions, whether it's help finding information, making home modifications or decluttering, or next steps regarding medication or doctors' appointments.

   You can share information, too, about upcoming medical appointments and current problems or concerns, including any recent falls.

   If friends and family are willing and available, they could help by delivering medications or groceries when the weather is bad. They could also help you shop for helpful equipment, such as shoulder bags or fanny packs to keep your hands free, or proper footwear that supports your feet and gives enough traction.

2. Part of keeping healthcare up-to-date is caring for your eye health as you age and addressing ear health and hearing loss. Get regular exams, use equipment such as eyeglasses and sunglasses properly, and make sure you have enough light in your home.

3. Medications are another important part of health maintenance and fall prevention. Make sure you know how to take medications and follow instructions carefully. Sticking with a single trusted pharmacy can be helpful to keep track of medications, especially multiple medications. They can help track any incompatible medications or doses that are too high, and you can also ask your pharmacist questions about them.

   Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist yearly or if anything changes, such as your health or adding or removing a medication. Make sure to report any side effects.

4. Make home modifications that can help, such as adding grab bars to the bathroom, adding a second handrail on stairs, or adding non-slip paint on outdoor steps. If you need help with these services, your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may be able to connect you to resources.

The AAAs can assist with many parts of fall prevention, from balance-focused exercise classes to helping pay for home modifications like rails. Each one is run locally, so please contact the one in your region to see what’s available in your area.

Fall prevention may take some preparation, but it’s worth it! Stay healthy, enjoy the cooling weather, and put your best foot forward.

Sources:

• National Institute on Aging
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• National Council on Aging