“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The line from a classic television commercial about a senior safety device has been the butt of jokes for years. The reality is that falls among seniors are a serious danger, and the consequences can be life threatening.

The statistics on falls among older Americans are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every three adults over age 65 has suffered a fall. Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury among seniors, causing everything from cuts and bruises to hip fractures to head trauma.

With a few simple steps, you can DRASTICALLY reduce a senior’s risk of falling.

Step 1 – Home Safe Home

- Paint or place bright tape on the edge of steps so seniors can see where one step ends and another begins.
- Provide handrails on BOTH sides of stairs and grab bars in bathrooms
- Provide light at the top and bottom of stairs and throughout halls
- Paint the bottom basement step white to make it more visible
- Secure rugs to the floor to prevent tripping
- Attach non–slip strips to the bottom of slippers
- Outside, check steps and walkways for loose bricks, cement or stones

Step 2 – Safety “Shoe”-In

- Fall prevention research has demonstrated that wearing the right type of footwear can reduce the risk of a fall. Slippers may be comfortable and convenient, but they do not provide proper support to the foot and are often loose fitting and can easily slip off, causing the senior to fall.

Step 3 – The Eyes Have It

- Seniors should know their visual limitations and have their vision checked at least once a year. A good tip: consider getting a pair of eyeglasses with single vision distance lenses for activities such as walking outside.

Step 4 – Medication

- Medications can contribute to falls, since many of them cause drowsiness and dizziness as a side effect. Let health care providers know if you notice a senior experiencing either of these symptoms after taking their medications.

Step 5 – Exercise

- Exercise is necessary to increase strength and balance; simple chair exercises are a good and safe way to achieve this for those with limitations. Seniors can do ankle circles while watching TV, toe raises and heel raises while waiting for dinner.

Step 6 – Nutrition

- Appetite often decreases as we age, but the body still needs the nutrients that food and fluids provide. Water is recommended for hydration over caffeinated drinks (coffee and tea).

Need help? SYNERGY HomeCare can help by providing a FREE, detailed home safety assessment. Representatives will suggest ways to improve safety and decrease the likelihood of a fall or accident. Click here to find a SYNERGY HomeCare office in your area.