Falls at home send millions of people to the doctor each year, and injuries can range from a bad sprain to a severe fracture or even death. Sometimes our fall risk is tied to an issue with our feet, but not always. With that in mind, we want to use today’s blog to share some tips for reducing your fall risk when you’re at home.
Minimizing Your Fall Risk At Home
Don’t end up as another statistic because you didn’t take some simple steps to help lower your fall risk at home. Oftentimes people aren’t even aware of some of the fall hazards all around their home, so take a look at this list and make some adjustments to help lower your fall risk.
1. Take Care Of Foot Issues – Let’s start with a prevention tip that is near and dear to our heart, and that’s foot and ankle issues. If you have balance problems as a result of ankle instability, acquired flat foot or another unaddressed foot and ankle issue, make sure you connect with a specialist like Dr. Silverman. We can typically provide you with some simple exercises and physical therapy routines to help improve your balance and keep you steady on your feet.
2. Mind Your Rugs – Throw rugs are an incredibly common tripping hazard. Make sure that any throw rugs are non-slip, and don’t be afraid to add extra gripping material to the underside of the rug to ensure it doesn’t slip or slide. If you walk with a cane or walker, consider eliminating throw rugs altogether, as they are prone to snagging on equipment and can end up contributing to a fall.
3. Evaluate Your Lighting – You’re more likely to slip and fall if you have a hard time seeing where you’re walking. If you’re waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, you may take some steps in the dark until you can reach a light. Consider having a flashlight or other light source nearby for when you need to move in the dark, or consider lights that you can control from your phone or by clapping! This way you never need to take another step in the dark.
4. Keep Floors Clear – Don’t leave laundry or shoes laying around where they can become a tripping hazard. Make it a point to keep your floors clear of obvious tripping hazards.
5. Vision Issues – Finally, if your vision just isn’t what it used to be and it is making it harder to see where you are going without tripping or bumping into objects, make an appointment to see your eye specialist. Your eyes will change as you age, so if your prescription doesn’t seem like it’s doing the job anymore, it’s time to connect with your optometrist.
If you do all of these things and work to maintain your fitness as you age, we’re confident that you can maintain a low fall risk. For help addressing any foot issues that could be affecting your balance and mobility, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.