Why do older adults fall? Falls are one of the most common causes of injury at home, especially for older adults.
The good news? In this guide, we share practical tips to help you reduce your risk of falling, improve your balance and mobility, and learn more about our free falls prevention exercise programme in Cheshire East.
You can also watch our video with our One You Cheshire East Falls Lead, Reece who discusses tips for falls prevention here.
So, why do falls happen? To understand why falls occur is the first step in preventing them. Here are some simple changes to reduce falls at home:
1. Staying active – One of the biggest risks is weaker muscles. Muscle weakness and poor balance is one of the biggest contributors to falls risks.
So, improving your strength and balance is key. Try to complete mobility exercises and aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week and walking, gardening, swimming, all contribute.
If you haven’t exercised in a while or you’re unsure on what to do, please have a quick chat with your doctor or health professional.
2. Looking after your eyes and ears – Our senses play a big role in keeping us steady. Even small changes can affect your balance. So, it’s really important to maintain your tests for your eyes and your ears and your equipment such as your glasses.
3. Maintaining foot care – Don’t forget your feet. If you have any unusual sensations or pains and discomfort, please get them checked out. And you should always choose shoes that are comfortable, fit well, and are supportive. The footwear you chose can affect your walking and balance; it makes a huge difference.
4. Check in with your health professional – Medication review. A regular medication review is important for those at risk of falls; you can check this with your health professional. Sometimes a small adjustment to your medication or a small bit of advice can help you feel much steadier on your feet and more confident.
If you’ve noticed dizziness, bladder changes, or anything unusual in the body, don’t ignore it. Seek advice from your health professional.
5. Making your home safer – Most falls happen at home, so making small changes can have a big impact.
Best things to do at home are to clear walkways, remove clutter, tuck away wires, and make sure areas are well lit. Think of it creating a safer space that works for you.
6. Eating and drinking – Staying healthy on the inside helps you stay steady on the outside.
Regular falls prevention exercises are one of the most effective ways to maintain independence.
Top tips: Stay hydrated. Eat a healthy and balanced diet to keep the muscles and bones strong. And if you drink alcohol, try to keep it in moderation because it can affect your balance.
All of these tips can help you improve your confidence and reduce your risk of falls.
To see where you stand, you can support yourself with a free falls assessment at Welcome to Steady On Your Feet Cheshire and that will give you free, personalised, tailored advice to help you reduce your risk of falls at home.
And if you’d like any more support on reducing your risk of falls, you can come on to one of our One You Cheshire East Stand Strong Programmes, where we’ll provide you all this information and a class to help you improve your strength, balance, and mobility. Eligibility Applies.
Free, falls prevention programme in Cheshire East
If you live in Cheshire East, you can self-refer and join our free Falls Prevention classes in:
- Crewe
- Macclesfield
- Congleton
- Sandbach
- Nantwich
- Goostrey
- Knutsford
- Holmes Chapel
- Poynton
- Alsager
- Handforth
- Wilmslow
Ready to improve your balance and confidence?
Explore our Stand Strong programme: Falls Prevention – One You Cheshire East and find a free falls prevention programme near you or give the team a call: 0300 123 5026
After a fall what should you do?
Check out our other blog: How to get up safely after falling and what to do if you can’t get up after a fall.
Preventing falls at home is possible with small changes and regular exercise.