Seniors: Prevent Falls with 3 Proven Ways

If you can prevent falls as an older adult, you can avoid hospitalization and maintain a good quality of life. And it’s perfectly possible to reduce the risk of falls and make them less likely.

Below are some tips to help reduce the risk of a fall.

Exercise to Prevent Falls

Exercising and physical activities can help avoid falls because it strengthens your muscles, improves your balance and keeps you supple and agile.

Set yourself the goal of trying to extend the time spent doing physical activities or exercising. Each person is different but as a general guide you should aim to exercise for at least three hours per week. Try to do muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week to prevent falls.

Senior man drinking water after physical therapy to prevent falls

Start slowly and gradually build up the time you exercise. Seek advice from a physical therapist or your doctor to make sure you are doing the right exercises for you.

It’s also worth trying to integrate your exercise routines into your everyday activities. For example, if you are queueing up outside a store, try balancing on one foot. At home you might like to try sitting down and standing up without using your hands.

Consider Senior and Day Care Centers to Prevent Falls

One of the proven ways to avoid falls is to join senior centers or adult day care centers. These places organize physical as well as entertainment activities to keep you mentally and physically in shape. Trainers and physical therapists in these centers are on hand to give you the best advice on how to avoid falls.

Such centers provide numerous types of activities and encourage your participation. Yoga, zumba, thai chi, dancing are great ways for seniors to stay agile and reduce the risk of a fall.

Stay Away from Stress to Prevent Falls

Stress can cause hypertension, anxiety and many other conditions that can leave you feeling weak and disorientated.

Stress often may lead to high blood pressure with associated cardiac risks, making you prone to getting a stroke or heart attack.

Stress sometimes also leads to a loss of self-control which raises the risk of you suffering a fall.

Engaging in stress-busting social activities and having fun with friends or family has huge health benefits. This, in turn, can help you stay positive about life and make you more likely to want to stay active. Taking part in group activities with peers is another way to help prevent falls.

Fairview

At Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn NY we offer numerous physical and fun activities which help to prevent falls. Our physical therapists and trainers are experienced at dealing with senior issues, including falls. They will show you what to do, and what not to do, to avoid falls.

When an elderly person falls down they can easily break a bone or do themselves some other injury. This may require a lengthy stay in hospital or recuperating which can be morale-sapping and lead to depression or anxiety. Falls are not only painful and cause shock but they can even be life-threatening.

Contact us for more information on how we ensure the overall well-being of seniors and help them prevent falls.

This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.