Fall Prevention - Vista Winds Retirement Community

Falls put you at risk of getting seriously injured. Avoid falls using these straightforward fall prevention steps, from going over your medications to hazard controlling your home.

Fall Prevention: Simple Tips to Prevent Falls

Fall prevention is a significant issue to think about as you age. Physical changes and medical conditions — and often the medications used for treating those conditions — make falls more possible as you get older. Falls are a leading cause of injuries among older adults. Fear of falling does not need to lead your life. Rather, take into consideration these 6 simple fall prevention tactics.

1. Schedule An Appointment with Your Health Care Provider

Begin by scheduling an appointment with your health care provider. To evaluate your risk and discuss fall prevention tactics, your health care provider may want to speak to you concerning the following:

The medications you take. Create a list of your prescription and non-prescription medications and supplements or take them with you to your appointment. Your health care provider can review your medications for adverse reactions and reactions that might magnify your risk of taking a fall. To assist with preventing falls, your health care provider might think about gradually reducing you off medications that make you fatigued or impact on your thinking, like sedatives, antihistamines and some kinds of antidepressants.
Any prior falls. Jot down the details, including the time, place and how it happened. Be ready to discuss examples when you just about fell but are caught by somebody or were lucky enough to grab something in the nick of time. Details like these may help your health care provider determine particular fall prevention tactics.
Your health conditions. Specific ear and eye conditions could increase your risk of falling. Be ready to discuss your health conditions and how comfortable you are when walking — for instance, do you feel any lightheadedness, joint pain, difficulty breathing, or lack of sensation in your feet and legs when walking? Your health care provider might additionally assess your muscle strength, balance and the way in which you walk.

2. Keep Moving

Physical activity goes a long way toward preventing falls. With your health care provider’s consent, think about activities like walking, water exercises or tai chi — a peaceful exercise that requires slow and elegant dance-like motions. These activities decrease the risk of falls by enhancing strength, stability, coordination and versatility.

If you avoid physical activity since you’re concerned it is going to make a fall more probable, let your health care provider know. They may suggest carefully overseen exercise routines or sending you to a physical therapist. The therapist can devise a customized exercise program geared towards enhancing your balance, versatility and muscle strength.

3. Wear Sensible Shoes

Think about switching out your footwear as a portion of your fall prevention strategy. floppy slippers, high heels, and shoes that have slick soles can cause you to slip, tip and fall. Additionally, so can walking in your socks. Alternatively, wear correctly fitting, durable, flat shoes with non-skid soles. These types of shoes could also decrease joint pain.

4. Remove Hazards in Your Home

Look around your home for possible fall hazards. For making your home safer:

Take out boxes, newspapers, electrical and phone cords from walkways.
Move end tables, journal racks and plant stands out of high-traffic areas.
Secure loosened rugs with double-sided tape, nails or a non-slip backing — or eliminate loose rugs from your home altogether.
Repair loosened, wooden floorboards and carpeting sooner than later.
Keep clothing, food, dishes, and other necessities easily within reach.
Without delay clean up liquid spills, food or grease.
Utilize non-slip bathmats in your tub or shower. Utilize a bath seat, which enables you to sit while you shower.

5. Light Up Your Living Space

Have your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on things that are difficult to see. Also:

Plug in night lights in your bedroom, bathroom(s) and hallways.
Place a lamp in reach of your bed in case you need to get up in the dead of night.
Make clear pathways to light switches that are not near entrances to rooms. Consider trading conventional light switches for glow-in-the-dark or illuminated light switches.
Keep the lights on prior to going up or down stairs.
Store flashlights in easy-to-locate areas in case the power goes out.

6. Utilize Assistive Aids

Your health care provider might suggest using a cane or walker to keep you balanced. Other assistive aids can help, too. For instance:

Handrails for each side of stairways
Non-slip treads for bare-wooden steps
A raised toilet seat or one that has armrests
Grab bars for the tub or shower
A stout plastic seat for the tub or shower— in addition to a hand-held shower nozzle for bathing when sitting down

If required, ask your health care provider to refer you to a physical therapist. And this type of therapist can help you brainstorm other fall prevention tactics. Some resources are easily installed and somewhat budget friendly. Others may need professional help or a larger investment. If you’re worried about the cost, don’t forget that an investment in fall prevention is an investment in your freedom.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

If you are doing research about retirement communities in Peoria, Arizona, Vista Winds Retirement Home should definitely be on your list. Vista Winds offers retirement living at its finest. We have a rich calendar of activities, meals prepared by a Chef and caregivers on staff 24 hours a day for your health and safety. We offer award winning independent living, assisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!

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