Do you know an older adult who has fallen recently? The idea can be frightening, as a bad fall can lead to serious injuries and hospitalization. Unfortunately, your fall risk increases as you get older due to various aging-related changes. That’s why we wanted to share some of our favorite fall prevention tips for seniors!
Several factors contribute to a greater fall risk among seniors. As you get older, your muscles naturally weaken, and your balance can decline, making it harder to stay steady on your feet. Vision and hearing changes and age-related medical conditions like arthritis can also affect balance and coordination, increasing the likelihood of falls.
That’s why it’s so important to maintain muscle mass and balance as you move into your golden years. Physical therapy can provide customized fall prevention programs to help you do just that–but if you have mobility challenges, the idea of getting to a clinic might feel daunting.
Fortunately, No Limit Physical Therapy brings our physical therapy services to you! We offer in-home fall prevention programs throughout the San Diego area so that you can reap the benefits of physical therapy without the hassle of transportation.
Keep reading to learn some simple fall prevention tips for seniors, but make sure to call us to learn more about our in-home physical therapy services, too!
Five Fall Prevention Tips to Help Seniors Stay On Their Feet!
Stay Active
- Regular physical activity strengthens muscles and improves balance. Even simple exercises like walking or stretching can help. Keeping your body strong and mobile is key to preventing falls.
Home Safety Modifications
- Make your living space safer by removing tripping hazards like loose rugs and clutter. Install grab bars in the bathroom and railings on stairs. Good lighting is also essential, so ensure your home is well-lit, especially in hallways and staircases.
Get Regular Check-Ups
- Schedule annual eye and ear exams. Poor vision or hearing can affect your balance and coordination, so keeping these senses sharp is essential. Furthermore, some medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness, so review any prescriptions to see if they might increase your fall risk.
Use Assistive Devices
- Mobility aids, such as canes, walkers, or other assistive devices, can help provide extra support and stability so you don’t lose your balance.
Get a Personalized Fall Prevention Program
- A fall prevention program from No Limit Physical Therapy is a plan custom-designed to help you reduce your risk of falling. We’ll incorporate the fall prevention tips here with targeted exercises to develop a program that suits your needs.
How Physical Therapy Helps with Fall Prevention
We start all our at-home fall prevention programs with a comprehensive evaluation to help identify your unique risk factors and areas needing improvement. Based on this evaluation, we’ll design a customized treatment plan to help improve your strength, balance, and overall mobility.
While every program is different, we generally include the following:
- Pain management to help prepare your body for exercise (and keep you mobile)
- Mobility exercises to maintain range of motion
- Strength training exercises to build muscle, especially in your core and lower body
- Balance training to enhance stability
- Gait training to improve your walking pattern
- Information about assistive devices, home modifications, and more
Are You Ready to Get Started with Fall Prevention?
While our fall prevention tips for seniors can help you reduce your fall risk, your best bet is to schedule an in-home assessment with one of No Limit Physical Therapy’s dedicated physical therapists! Our team is here to support you with expert care and guidance, helping you enjoy a safer and more active lifestyle.