Health New England | Health Matters | Wellness Guide 2019

26 ∞ Health & Wellness Guide | 2019 Those stats may leave the impression that falls are a normal part of aging. But that’s not true. Most falls are preventable. And if you’re an older person—or have an older person in your life—there are multiple steps you can take to reduce the risk of falls. Find a good balance and exercise program. We do lose some coordination, flexibility and balance as we grow older, mostly because we become less active. Joining a class that teaches balance exercises can help. Contact your local YMCA or senior center to find a program that works for you. Get your hearing and vision checked every year. As we age, our vision gets less sharp, making it easier to miss obstacles in front of us. Make sure you’re wearing the right glasses for your eyesight. Also, research suggests that poor hearing can in- crease the risk for falling. Review your medicines with your doctor. The way medicines work in our bodies can change over the years. And some medicines can cause dizziness. Put all your medications, including those you buy over the counter, in a bag and take them to your next doctor’s visit for a review. Make Your Home Safer. A Few Suggestions: • Increase lighting throughout the house. Make sure you can turn on a light at the top and bottom of stairs. Install night lights so you can see your way around if you get up at night. • Install hand rails on both sides of all stairways and steps. • Clear clutter from the floor , and make sure that traffic routes around the house are free of tripping hazards, such as electrical cords. • Install grab bars in the tub or shower and near the toilet. If modifications can’t be made to the shower area, consider buying a shower chair and handheld shower head. Get a safety checklist at cdc.gov . Search for “check for safety.” Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Council on Aging Did you know? Every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency room for a fall- related injury. Falls are the leading cause of injuries— both fatal and non-fatal—in peo- ple ages 65 and older. 1 in 4 older Americans falls every year. Preventing Falls as You Age SAFETY ✔