Recognizing Fall Prevention Awareness Day

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At Goldsmith Podiatry, we treat patients of all ages. For our senior patients, falls are a big concern. It’s estimated that an older American is seen in an emergency room every 11 seconds for a fall injury. Falls are not only the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for elderly patients, but they also can lead to depression, loss of independence and social isolation. Fall Prevention Awareness Day is on Sept. 23rd. If you are a senior citizen or someone who has an elderly relative, take a moment and consider these tactics for reducing fall risk.

Upgrade Safety Features at Home

Many seniors mistakenly think that if they just stay at home, they will minimize their chances of falling. In actuality, over half of all falls happen at home! Inspect your home with a critical eye and zero in on these potential fall hazards:

  • Throw rugs

  • Carpeting that has become untacked

  • Clutter on the floor

  • Low-lying furniture like foot stools and planters

  • Lack of grab bars in bathrooms

  • Inadequate lighting, especially in halls and stairways

Take Care of Your Feet

Foot pain is a leading cause of falls. If you are experiencing discomfort in your toes, feet or ankles, don’t put off getting it checked. Contact our Upper West Side office for an appointment by calling: (212) 877-1002. Our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, will examine your feet and provide a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan.

It’s also important to make sure that the shoes you are wearing fit properly and are in good condition. As you age, it’s not unusual for your shoe size to increase. Wearing shoes that are too small hurts your feet! Inspect your shoes periodically for signs of wear and tear and discard shoes that are stretched out or damaged.

Keep Current on Medical Conditions

There are many medical issues that can impact the health and sensations in your feet. You can manage diabetes, arthritis and other conditions by maintaining an appropriate checkup schedule.  Following your doctors’ instructions will help reduce the risk of foot problems, and also issues like dizziness that can lead to a fall.

We want to help all of our patients be proactive and prevent foot and other health problems. If you have questions about how to improve your podiatric health, contact us.

Blog, foot doctor, Goldsmith PodiatryGoldsmith Podiatryfall prevention, diabetes, senior foot care