Capital Health Care Network5 Fantastic Tips for Falls Prevention

1. Move to Improve
Your best strategy is to keep it moving! Gentle exercise helps to reduce falls because it builds strength and improves coordination and flexibility. When you avoid physical activity because you are afraid of falling, you actually increase your chance of falling.

2. Wear Sensible Shoes
You don’t need to forego fashion altogether, but you should wear properly fitting, sturdy, comfortable, practical shoes. Avoid high-heels, flip flops and slippery soles. Remember, a sensible person makes reasonable and wise decisions. Sensible shoes also help reduce pain.

3. Become a Minimalist
No need to go to extremes, but decluttering your home can go a long way in creating a safer environment where you are less prone to falls. Take a look around your home to be sure pathways are clear, throw rugs are thrown out, and you are not holding onto things you no longer need or use.

4. Light Up Your Life
Keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on what you cannot see. Use night-lights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. Replace light bulbs regularly. Also, be sure to store flashlights with battery life in easy to reach locations.

5. Check Your Vision and Wear Your Glasses
Have your eyes checked at least every two years or when you notice changes in your vision. Vision changes as we age making depth and distance more difficult to judge. There are also a number of age-related eye disorders that make it necessary to see an eye doctor regularly.