Falls in the home are a problem. According to the CDC, more than one in four people ages 65 and older fall each year. Among the elderly, falls can result in serious, life-altering injuries.

Whether you’re older than 65 or not, it’s always good to do what you can to lower your risk of falling and injuring yourself inside your own home. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team highlights what you can do to lower your fall risk below, so keep reading!

• Here’s what to do: First, get regular exercise. Getting the CDC-recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week will keep your body strong and improve balance, which will greatly reduce your risk of falling.
• What to do next: Get rid of fall hazards. Loose wires, boxes, toys, etc. are all potential fall hazards, so clean them up and keep them tidy. Also, if you have any loose rugs with flipped-up edges, make them more secure by putting a sticky rug-holder underneath.
• What to do after: Keep your living space well-lit. More light will help you avoid tripping. Add more lamps to your space and change burnt out light bulbs quickly.
• Another way to prevent falls: Wear safe footwear. Floppy slippers and socks can make you slip and fall. Instead, wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles or socks with rubber grips on the bottom.
• Something else to keep in mind: Make way for sturdy, safe furniture. We all have one piece of furniture that’s a little suspect. Make sure that any chair or sofa you sit in has adequate support and isn’t wobbly.
• If you do fall: Call your doctor or a loved one. If you can’t get up and you’re injured, call 911. Statistics show that falling once doubles your chances of falling again, and telling someone about your first fall can prevent a second fall from happening.
• Action steps to take: Make the bathroom safer. According to studies, about 80% of falls happen in this slippery room, so consider installing grab bars beside the toilet and bathtub to considerably lower the chances of a fall taking place.
• Doctor recommendations: To be safe, get your vision checked by an eye doctor every year or so. The slightest changes in vision can lead to potential falls.

Our AFC center can take care of you or your loved one if a fall does happen! Don’t hesitate to visit us to get an X-ray or for any other general medical care you may need.