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As an ER doctor, I saw far too many falls. And as an everyday person whose middle name is definitely not "Grace", I've had a stumble or two myself. Falls are the leading cause of injuries and result in broken bones, head injuries and sadly, a loss of independence or even death. What better time to discuss fall prevention than in the fall with September's issue devoted to fall prevention.

The good news? Falls are not an inevitable part of life-but staying independent and wanting to avoid them sure are. Here's a few tips on how you and your doctor can prevent falls right now.

Stay On Your Feet: 4 Easy Tips To Avoid Falls

• Drink plenty of fluids--avoid dehydration which can cause low blood pressure and falls.
• Take your time getting up and down, especially first thing in the morning. Sometimes we need a few extra seconds to adjust to changes in position-those extra seconds could prevent a fall.
• Shoes--wear shoes that fit well and provide support. Sometimes these shoes aren’t the prettiest or most fashionable, but take my word for it, falls are even uglier.
• Tell your doctor: Even though one in four adults over 65 falls each year, only half tell their doctor. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor, even if you are “OK”. Falls are not embarrassing or may not be about about being clumsy, they can actually be related to reversible or treatable medical issues.

You’re Not Alone: What Your Doctor Can Do To Help Prevent Falls

• Check your blood pressure lying down and after standing. Sometimes sudden drops in blood pressure with standing are to blame.
• Order physical therapy to help with strength, stability and balance. Together you, your doctor and the physical therapist can consider assistive devices like canes or walkers to help.
• Review medication lists to see if any of your medicines are the culprit. Imagine avoiding a fall and eliminating a few medications at the same time. What a concept!
• Evaluate vision and hearing: Falls aren’t just about tripping over things you can’t see — according to researchers at Johns Hopkins, even mild hearing loss can triple your risk of falls.
• Assess bone health (with a painless test called a dexa scan) and consider treatments to strengthen bones to reduce fracture risk in case of a fall.

Before your next doctor’s visit, give me a call — I’d love to be your advocate and help make sure all steps are taken to prevent falls at your next medical appointment.

Home Sweet Home!

The most common place for falls is right in our own home, and according to Dr. Brandon Burris from RHM Innovations, about 80% of these falls happen in the bathroom. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home sweet home free of falls.

• Grab Bars-Dr. Burris recommends installing grab bars in and around the shower. A handheld showerhead, shower chair, and non-slip mat can also make bathing safer.
• Rugs-remove small throw rugs. Kind of like shoes, the slippery rug may be pretty, but falls related to rugs are not. Instead, carry your decorating style forward with fun décor that isn’t on the floor.
• Stairs-Sometimes stairs do not age as gracefully as we do. Think of your stairs as a runway. Make sure they are well lit, level and sturdy and equipped with non-stick treads every step along the way.
• Clutter-remove unnecessary clutter along the floor and walkways. Take a mindful walk throughout your house and remove any cords, shoes, rugs, and “stuff” in the way.

Your safety matters-take small steps today for a fall-free tomorrow.

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