Why People Fall at Home: 7 Reasons, 7 Solutions

Preventing falls is the focus of Falls Prevention Awareness Month, which we celebrate in September. The risk of falling is substantial for many older Americans! Each year, U.S. emergency rooms treat 3 million senior citizens who’ve experienced a fall. About 800,000 of those will end up in the hospital, many with a broken hip or head injury.

These types of injuries can be life-changing. Overall health can rapidly deteriorate. Independence can quickly become a thing of the past.

Understanding how and why people fall is the first step toward fall prevention. The next step is to make simple changes around the house that eliminate tripping hazards and reduce the risk of losing –for ourselves or our elderly loved ones.

Here are five problem areas and how to fix them:

1. Throw rugs: If they’re not already non-slip, install rug gripper material underneath. Consider eliminating throw rugs altogether for those who use canes or walkers, as these devices are particularly apt to snag.  
2. Other items on the floor, such as food droppings, newspaper piles, and electrical cords, infringe on areas where people need to walk. Keep the floors clear at all times. Hire a cleaning service, if necessary.
3. Things out of reach: It’s easy to lose balance while leaning over, standing on tiptoe, or climbing onto a stool. Ensure that often-used items in all rooms are well within reach. Consider removing the stepstool so your loved one isn’t tempted to use it “just this once.”
4. Poor lighting: Maintain good lighting indoors and out. Make it easy for seniors to turn lights on and off – there’s a reason that “clap on-clap off” devices have been popular for decades!
5. Poor vision: You can’t avoid tripping over what you don’t see. Keep up with eye doctor appointments; get new glasses when your prescription changes.
6. General lack of fitness: Stay strong as you age with daily exercise and core strengthening.
7. Foot issues, such as toe deformities, ingrown toenails, and shoes that don’t fit can make it harder to balance and stay upright.

Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, Dr. Jim Swienconek, Dr. Rachel Robinson, and Dr. Courtney Yoder, can fix foot problems contributing to falling risk. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.