One fall can change your life. If you are a senior, chances are you have either had a fall or know someone who has. Sadly, one out of three seniors will fall this year, ending up in the emergency room, hospital or nursing facility. Most people who fall get bruised or scraped. Too many suffer worse injuries, such as a broken hip or wrist. Even just the fear of falling can be limiting for some seniors.
We have good news. You can greatly lower your risk for falls. SCAN offers these tips to help you avoid falls so you can maintain your health and independence.
- Determine your risk of falling by completing SCAN’s “Fall Risk Checklist” - click here
- If your answers to the checklist suggest it, or you are concerned about falls, talk to your doctor about having him or her do a fall risk assessment for you. Usually, this assessment includes the following:
- Reviewing your medicines - be sure to take all of your pill bottles with you. For a list of medicines that can raise the risk of falls, click here
- Talking about any prior falls or close calls.
- Observing you getting up from chair, walking, turning, balancing and using a cane or walker if you have one.
- Asking about possible hazards in your home.
Depending on the results, your doctor may recommend changes to your medicines, order tests or treatments for other medical conditions, or prescribe physical activity. Your doctor may make a referral for a safety expert to check your home and offer tips on reducing fall dangers.
- Have your vision checked every year. Good vision is essential to good balance. Even small changes in how well you see can make you less stable. SCAN members are covered for a routine eye exam once a year. Glasses or contact lenses are covered too. SCAN uses Vision Service Plan (VSP) for vision care benefits. Call VSP directly at 1-800-877-7195. They can help find an optometrist near you—no referral is necessary. See your Evidence of Coverage for more details about SCAN’s vision benefits.
- Adjust your activity level to avoid falls.
- Use physical activity to improve balance and walking – stretching, tai chi, walking. Many local senior centers offer physical fitness classes. Some are even designed to develop better balance and coordination. Tai chi is one that has been proven to help seniors reduce risk for falls. For classes at the SCAN Ventura Resource Center click here
- Take note of times of day when you often feel tired, weak or dizzy. Plan more demanding activities when your energy and strength are high.
- Select good footwear that allows you to feel the ground and find balance. Rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes that fully support your feet are best. Avoid walking around in socks or slippers with a lot of padding or smooth soles.
- Most falls happen in and around seniors’ homes. Make your home safer today.
- Complete the “Home Safety Checklist” to identify areas of risk, click here
- Remove clutter, cords and throw rugs that could trip you.
- Improve lighting. Seeing hazards helps you avoid them.
- Put your essential and everyday items in easy reach.
- Bathrooms can be very dangerous. Protect yourself by adding and using assistive devices. Consider grab bars by the shower and toilet, a nonskid mat and shower chair for the tub, and a seat riser for the toilet. SCAN members can receive discounts on this kind of equipment – click here for details
- If you worry about falling and not being able to get help, an Emergency Response System can offer peace of mind. Small, waterproof buttons worn around the neck or wrist let you to dial your phone by remote control in an emergency. SCAN members can receive a discount on this service – click here for details
- For more information about falls, check out these other resources
