| Falling is an important health issue among senior | | | | side vision are reduced with age) |
| citizens. Statistics from various studies have | | | | Inner ear problems |
| indicated that each year falls occur in 35 to 40 | | | | A neurological problem may be present |
| percent of people 65 years of age and older who | | | | Lack of concentration |
| are otherwise healthy and probably living | | | | There are some things to do which may help a |
| independently. Half of these falls may result in | | | | person keep from falling: |
| injury to the senior citizen, and about 18 percent | | | | Go to a doctor for help and advice |
| require medical care. Health and wellness may | | | | Look down regularly while you are walking to |
| dictate more care to prevent falls. | | | | check for uneven surfaces |
| Diminished and poor balance puts older people at | | | | Try to improve balance by practicing to rise |
| risk for falls which may cause injury. Exercise can | | | | from a chair and stand on one foot |
| help a person with balance which will help to | | | | Pick up your feet so that you don't catch |
| prevent a fall, and it is never too late to exercise. | | | | your shoe on something sticking up |
| Walking may seem difficult but is beneficial to build | | | | Take someone's arm and let them help |
| strength and improve balance. Social activity and | | | | support you |
| keeping the body active are important. A one | | | | Use a cane or walker when it becomes |
| point decrease in social activity is said to be | | | | necessary |
| equivalent to being five years older than your | | | | If a person is not injured physically during a fall, |
| actual age. | | | | the worst part of falling is the embarrassment |
| Training may help to avoid falls. The brain may | | | | suffered. People generally rush to help a person |
| develop fall prevention strategies to help a person | | | | who falls. When a fall occurs around people |
| maintain balance to avoid a fall. When starting to | | | | unknown to the person, it is not so bad when |
| slip, the brain may help the person to avoid a fall | | | | they think that they will never see them again. |
| by having some control over the landing foot | | | | Falling around family and friends can cause more |
| which is on the ground during the slip. | | | | embarrassment. Falling happens as almost a |
| Reasons that older people have poor balance | | | | regular occurrence for some people as they age. |
| which may cause them to fall: | | | | It does not necessarily have to be that way. |
| Unsteady on feet | | | | Precautions should be taken to avoid serious |
| Leg and food problems | | | | injury. People can be more careful and aware to |
| May have poor peripheral vision (central and | | | | prevent problems with falling. |