What You Can Do to Prevent Falls

Falls are the leading cause of injury for older people. Most falls happen in the home and are such ordinary occurrences -- tripping on a throw rug, stumbling on the stairs, slipping in the shower or momentarily losing balance -- that it's hard to think of them as major medical events. But if you're past 65, falls often require a trip to the emergency room and can even result in a crippling injury or death.

Every year one in three Americans over 65 fall with one-third of those falls requiring medical treatment according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 16,000 seniors die from traumatic brain injury caused by hitting their head as they fall. The CDC estimates the annual medical cost of falls at nearly $20 billion, a figure that is expected to double in the next decade as Baby Boomers crawl past 65.

There are four important things you can do to reduce your risk of falling:

• Exercise to maintain flexibility, strength and balance.
• Improve the safety of your home. Install shower grab bars and eliminate tripping hazards like throw rugs and electrical cords that stretch across pathways.
• Take medications as directed to prevent dizziness or disorientation. Report such symptoms to your doctor immediately.
• Have your vision checked annually.