Fall Prevention Week is September 21 through 27. This is a great time to bring awareness about fall risks and how you can avoid or reduce yours.
“Falls can cause an injury to any of us,” shares Nancy Cormier, OTR/L, BCG, CEAS I, occupational therapist with Northern Light Home Care and Hospice. “We are at an increased risk for injury as we age because we are more likely to have health conditions or changes to our health that can impact our risk for falling or being seriously injured from a fall.”
“When talking about fall prevention, we recommend looking at multiple areas of your life and health that can affect your risk for falls,” continues Cormier.
- Talk with your healthcare provider about any health risk factors that you have: these would include chronic medical conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, or Congestive Heart Failure, postural hypotension or low blood pressure (when your blood pressure drops when you go from lying down to sitting up, or from sitting to standing), dizziness, muscle weakness or balance problems. Foot disorders, neuropathy (numbness, nerve pain, and/or tingling), changes with your ability to think or concentrate, or impairments in your vision can also play a part.
- It’s important to review any medications you are taking with your healthcare provider as combinations of medications can have side effects such as dizziness or difficulties concentrating.
- Get regular eye exams—talk with your healthcare provider on how often and be sure to discuss any changes.
- Exercise regularly. The CDC recommends adults aged 65 and older aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, plus activities that improve balance and strengthen muscles at least two days a week. Exercises such as Tai Chi, walking, and yoga can help improve your balance strength and flexibility.
- Wear supportive footwear that are nonslip, have good support, and have low or flat soles. Avoid footwear with an elevated heal or are loose fitting such as flip flops or slippers.
- Take a look around your home. Remove throw rugs, keep clutter and cords out of walkways, ensure adequate lighting in hallways and stairways, get any needed repairs done (loose or broken stair rails, steps or stairs, uneven or unsecured flooring/carpeting, missing or needed grab bars in bathroom or showers, replace light bulbs, etc.), move commonly used items to within reach to avoid excessive reaching, bending, or the need to use a step stool.
- Think about how you move at home and in your community. Try to plan ahead to avoid rushing to answer the door or phone or to get to the bathroom. Avoid carrying items that would limit your view or vision when walking or going up or down the stairs. Use handrails and grab bars where available. Use any recommended devices such as a walker or cane. Assess your ability to safely get down to the floor and back up.
Talk with your healthcare provide for a referral to Occupational and/or Physical Therapy to:
- Educate you on factors that increase your risk for falling
- Treat limitations (strength, hand function, range of motion, coordination, balance, endurance, sensation, behavioral, cognition and /or perception)
- Train you on how to perform daily activities with emphasis on safety, balance and fall prevention
- Discuss possible triggers for falls and how to reduce them
- Modify behavioral risk factors and address fears surrounding falling
- Recommend equipment
- Train on compensatory strategies
- Train on how to fall, what to do if you fall, and how to get up if you fall.
For more information about occupational and physical therapy services provided in your home through Northern Light Home Care and Hospice, please visit
Home Care - Northern Light Health, or for outpatient services available at Northern Light Health, please visit
www.northernlighthealth.org/Services/Rehabilitation.