Top 5 Reasons for Falls and How to Prevent Them
The first day of fall is a natural reminder of Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Falls are the number one cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in people 65 and older. At Goldsmith Podiatry we’re committed to helping our senior patients and those who love them to prevent falls. Below are five common causes of falls and how to correct them.
Foot Problems—Toe, foot, and ankle pain causes you to alter the way you walk and increases your risk of falling. In addition, as we age, there’s some loss of flexibility, coordination, and balance. Make regular appointments with our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff by calling our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002, and don’t wait to come in if you are experiencing pain or other uncomfortable symptoms. The foot doctor can analyze your gait and suggest exercises and footwear to improve balance.
Vision Changes—Your ability to see clearly can diminish slowly over time. Sometimes it’s imperceptible to you, but not to the eye doctor. That’s why it’s essential to keep up with your yearly vision checks.
Chronic Health Conditions—Over 80% of seniors have at least one chronic medical concern such as diabetes, arthritis, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. These conditions and the symptoms and treatments associated with them can cause dizziness or light-headedness which may contribute to a fall.
Medications—Many prescription drugs and over-counter medications and the interactions if you take more than one can result in blurred vision, dehydration, dizziness, or other symptoms that could cause you to take a tumble. Ask your pharmacist to periodically check your med list to look for potential issues.
Home Hazards—Statistics show that 60% of falls occur at home. There are many simple modifications you can make to improve the safety of your home. Add more lighting in stairwells and hallways, put up grab bars in the bathroom around the toilet and in the shower, install handrails on both sides of staircases, and get rid of throw rugs, stacks of magazines, and other tripping hazards.
A fall can create a ripple effect of negative consequences beyond injuries such as depression, isolation due to fear of falling again, and more. If you have fall concerns, contact us so we can do a fall risk assessment and empower you to take steps to prevent falls in the future.