The risk of falling and seriously injuring yourself increases greatly as you get older. To prevent falls, physicians at Hempstead medical group evaluate several risk factors like lower body muscle strength, sensation in the lower limbs, medication review, blood pressure check, mood assessment, examination of gait and posture, and many other factors possibly causing falls.
To prevent falls, physicians at Hempstead medical group evaluate several risk factors like lower body muscle strength, sensation in the lower limbs, medication review, blood pressure check, mood assessment, an examination of gait and posture, and many other factors possibly causing falls.
Call us at 516-636-1203 or contact us online to schedule appointment to learn more about treatment options.
Frequent Falls Q & A
Can my medication increase my risk of falling?
Some medicines can actually increase a person’s risk for falling. The reason is that many of them have side effects such as drowsiness, fainting, or extreme weakness.
If an older adult is taking any of the drugs that may have these side effects, make sure they do not stop taking them until they talk to their doctor. With all medicines, the risk must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision that the older adult and his or her doctor should make.
What can you do to help prevent falling?
Everyone gets older but there are some things that can be done to help reduce the risk of falling. Just by following these several things, older adults increase their chances for avoiding falls and remaining independent.
- Keep moving. Seniors should ask their doctors for a general exercise program that may include walking or other group exercises such as water workouts in a pool, Tai Chi, a gentle exercise, have been proven very effective in reducing risk for falls.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendation. Exercises a doctor recommends can improve balance, strength, coordination and flexibility. A doctor may also have referred the physical therapist to the home to provide an individual exercise program to improve balance, muscle strength and gait (how you take steps).
- Use medical equipment when appropriate. The doctor may also recommend a cane or walker to ensure a degree of balance when the individual is moving. The secret to reducing the risk for falls is moving more and moving safely.
- Make the home safer. Effective light, side rails on stairs, removing loose rugs, grab bars in bathrooms help in preventing falls.
- Stay in touch. If an older adult lives alone, someone should be checking in on them once daily, or the family should consider providing life alert system.