9 Steps to Preventing Falls: More Than Home Design
By Bob Gersh, Reverse Mortgage Specialist with iReverse Home Loans
During your older years, a simple fall can mean the difference between staying in your house and moving to assisted living. That’s why it’s important to do everything you can to prevent a tumble.
You may already know about fall-proofing your home—checking for trip hazards and making improvements. You can find lots of checklists for that. But do you know the other steps you can take to prevent a fall?
The American Geriatrics Society issues fall-prevention guidelines for health-care professionals to use with at-risk patients. Here are some tips based on their recommendations. If you have walking or balance problems, talk with your doctor about whether they might help you.
5 Actions to Take
- Ask your doctor about reducing medications or dosages. Some medicines—especially psychiatric ones—may increase your risk of falling. Taking a lot of medicines may too.
2. Exercise. The guidelines recommend strength training, along with balance, coordination and gait training. Consider tai chi or physical therapy. Talk to your doctor before beginning. If you aren’t used to moving around much, some studies found that exercise may increase your risk of falling.
3. Ask whether you need vitamin D supplements. Deficiency can make you weaker.
4. Wear proper shoes. I’ll cover this more in a future post. Three tips for now: Wear flats, don’t wear slip-ons and have good treads.
5. Don’t wear multifocal lenses while walking—especially on stairs.
4 Things to Get Treated - Cataracts.
2. Low blood pressure. Postural hypotension (blood pressure that plummets when you sit up or stand up) can make you lightheaded.
3. Heart rate and rhythm abnormalities.
4. Foot problems, including moderate to severe bunions, toe deformities, ulcers and deformed nails.
If you need financial help improving your home or getting proper treatment, a reverse mortgage may help—especially if you plan to stay in your home for a while. And preventing a fall will help accomplish that!
For information about a reverse mortgage in The Villages, Florida, contact a reverse mortgage specialist at iReverse Home Loans. We are dedicated to providing you with the knowledge you need to make decisions for your future. Call 800-486-8786 ext 813.