REGION – Each year, many Vermonters experience a fall, and only half will tell their health care provider. A fall can cause an injury, limit a person’s mobility and independence, and increase social isolation. But although falls are a leading cause of injury and death among people age 65 and older, they are preventable.
“Falls are not a normal part of aging, but as we get older, we are at a higher risk of falling and becoming injured by a fall due to weakening muscles, impaired hearing and vision, and even side effects from prescription medications,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D.
The good news is that falls are preventable – by taking steps to reduce risks and working with your health care provider to stay on top of your personal health.
“We are all aging – and staying healthy and safe is the key to aging well,” said Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living Commissioner Monica Caserta Hutt. “There are small but important efforts to prevent falls that are key to maintaining our quality of life and to remaining active and independent as we get older.”
Older Vermonters are encouraged to self-assess. Ask yourself: Have you fallen in the past year? Do you feel unsteady when standing or walking? Do you worry about falling? These questions can help determine your risk of falling. Talk to your health care provider if you answer “yes” to any of these questions.
Dr. Levine said the Covid-19 pandemic means older Vermonters should take extra care to avoid injury. “Being injured can make you more susceptible to illness, including the Covid-19 virus. We want everyone to know the simple things they can do to stay safe and healthy”
Follow these steps to help prevent falls:
- Talk to your health care provider about any past falls, even if they didn’t lead to an injury. Review your medications and any side effects. Consider vitamin D supplements.
- Have your vision and hearing checked every year and update eyeglasses and hearing aids as needed.
- Get moving! Go for a walk, do some at home exercises, or try Tai Chi, which has been proven to improve balance and strength. Find free or low-cost classes at www.fallsfreevermont.org. Many are now being offered online.
- Assess your home environment. You can reduce your fall risk by removing trip hazards, improving lighting, and installing handrails and grab bars.
For more information about falls prevention and healthy aging, call Vermont Area Agencies on Aging Help Line at 1-800-642-5119; go to Falls Free Vermont, www.fallsfreevermont.org; Adult Services Division of Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living www.asd.vermont.gov; Health Department, www.healthvermont.gov/emergency-preparedness-ems/injury-prevention/prevent-falls; or National Council on Aging www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention.