This month we have a special guest columnist, Caitlin Hempton. Caitlin is a student at Oakland University in their Wellness, Health Promotion, & Injury Prevention program who is interning with PVM.
As the weather starts to change we are reminded that fall is in the air. To some, fall reminds us of crisp cool air, warm delicious drinks and the color change. To others the word fall might mean something entirely different. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), every 11 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury. As we begin to age a fear of falling can become a part of our everyday lives, dictating the things we do and places we go. Luckily there are easy ways to manage your risk for falling!
The NCOA has six tips to help reduce your risk for falling:
- Find a good balance and exercise program
- Ask your health care provider for an assessment of your risk of falling
- Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling
- Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eye glasses
- Keep your home safe by removing tripping hazards, increasing lighting and installing grab bars in key areas
- Enlist the support of your family members and PVM staff in taking simple steps to stay safe
By implementing some or all of these tips you can help reduce your risk of falling. Instead of worrying about A fall, you can instead enjoy THE fall!
More information on how to reduce your risk of falling is available on the NCOA website: https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/
