prevent falls with these simple fall prevention measures, from reviewing your medications to hazard-proofing your home. fall prevention is an important topic to consider as you get older. still, fear of falling doesn’t need to rule your life. start by making an appointment with your health care provider. to assess your risk and discuss fall prevention strategies, your health care provider may want to talk about the following: physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. if you avoid physical activity because you’re afraid it will make a fall more likely, tell your health care provider. your provider may recommend carefully monitored exercise programs or refer you to a physical therapist.
consider changing your footwear as part of your fall prevention plan. so can walking in your stocking feet. your health care provider might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. for example: if necessary, ask your health care provider for a referral to an occupational therapist. an occupational therapist can help you brainstorm other fall prevention strategies. if you’re concerned about the cost, remember that an investment in fall prevention is an investment in your independence. a single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.
by eric b. larson, md, mph, kaiser permanente washington health research institute (kpwhri) executive director, and kaiser foundation health plan of washington vice president for research and health care innovation when my mother was in her late fifties, she had a series of mishaps, beginning with a fall at an outdoor wedding in montana. over the next five years she suffered five more broken bones related to falls—fractures of her hip, wrist, elbow, and each kneecap. her doctor prescribed various drug treatments, but most caused bad side effects and had to be stopped. he advised her to start a daily habit of walking and leg-lifting exercises. in fact, her bones did get thinner as she aged, albeit probably slower than without any therapy. my mother lived to age 97. although she needed a wheelchair at times and some assistance for the last two years of her life, she spent most of her older years free to garden, travel, enjoy her grandchildren and a good long life. by avoiding falls and injuries, she avoided the crippling disability that affects so many older people.
i like to tell my mother’s story because it illustrates the power older people have to prevent falling—and thus lead longer, more active, and fulfilling lives. they found mountains of evidence that interventions to prevent falls really work—especially those recommending: 1) exercise, and 2) help for poor vision. and unlike so many research studies, dr. tricco’s team did not conclude, “more research is needed.” on the contrary, we already know plenty about how to prevent falls! in an editorial accompanying the tricco article, i’m challenging everybody in health care to share that knowledge well and broadly, and encouraging everyone to take steps now to stop falls from happening. i hope they help you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy for many years to come: senior investigator and former executive director, kaiser permanente washington health research institute; former vice president for research and health care innovation, kaiser permanente washington in an excerpt from his new book, enlightened aging, dr. eric b. larson encourages his generation to build reserves for a long life ahead. larson and crane co-lead kaiser permanente-university of washington collaboration learning how to promote healthy aging. land acknowledgment our seattle offices sit on the occupied land of the duwamish and by the shared waters of the coast salish people, who have been here thousands of years and remain.
6. do a walk-through safety assessment of their home. lighting: increase lighting throughout the house, especially at the top and bottom of stay active. staying active is the simplest way to reduce fall risk. watch for warning signs. falls rarely happen without warning. remove risks at home. the make your home safe 1. clear your walkways and stairs. shoes, books, and low decorative items (such as vases and baskets) are examples of, fall prevention strategies at home, fall prevention strategies at home, how to prevent falls in the hospital, interventions to prevent falls in older adults, fall prevention guidelines 2020.
what’s the best way to prevent falls in older adults? removing clutter, throw rugs, and other falling hazards improving lighting installing for information about fall prevention, visit /xn9xa as you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change. to reduce glare., fall prevention strategies pdf, fall prevention patient education handout, causes of falls, causes of falls in the elderly. take the right steps to prevent fallsstay physically active. have your eyes and hearing tested. find out about the side effects of any medicine you take. get enough sleep. limit the amount of alcohol you drink. stand up slowly. use an assistive device if you need help feeling steady when you walk. 9 ways to prevent falling at homeclean up clutter. the easiest method for preventing falls is to keep your home neat and tidy. repair or remove tripping hazards. install grab bars and handrails. avoid wearing loose clothing. light it right. wear shoes. make it nonslip. live on one level.
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