Slips and Falls: Reduce your Risk

You might be a little shaken, red from embarrassment and even amused at your own lack of grace. But you’ll probably pick yourself up, brush yourself off and keep going.

Not everyone can do that.

In older adults a fall can be devastating. This is especially true in adults with osteoporosis, a serious disease that develops when calcium is depleted from the bones making them so weak that even the slightest stress can cause a fracture.

When bones are brittle from osteoporosis, they cannot withstand the pressures a healthy bone can. A slip or fall can result in a serious injury.

As age increases, so does the severity of injuries resulting from falls. The most common injuries from falls are head injuries and fractures of the wrist, spine and hip. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, falls are the leading cause of injury for people age 65 and over.

Falls can happen anywhere, but the majority of falls occur in the home while performing everyday activities such as bathing or climbing stairs. These tips can help you prevent a fall:

• Keep pathways clear. Remove clutter from the floor, and make sure electrical and telephone cords are secured and out of the way. Arrange furniture, including low tables and footrests, in a fashion that keeps an open path throughout the house.


• Watch your step. Secure all loose rugs with non-skid backing, or remove them all together. Watch for loose carpeting, especially on the stairs. It’s best to have sturdy handrails on both sides of the stairway.


• Illuminate hallways and stairways. Make sure there are lights at both ends of the hallway and light switches at the top and bottom of stairs. Keep a night light on between the bedroom and bathroom, as well as in these rooms.


• Stay warm. Maintain a warm, comfortable temperature in your home. In colder temperatures, the body’s reflexes slow down and a fall is more likely to occur.


• Take time to wake up. To prevent dizziness, a common cause of falls, sit on the edge of your bed for a minute or two before getting up. Your bed should be positioned so that you can sit on the edge with your feet flat on the floor.


• Use proper equipment. Have a stepstool handy in the kitchen, closets or anywhere else you may need to reach. Never use a chair as a stepstool. Install grab bars in the shower and tub area. To prevent slips, install non-skid traction on the bathroom floor and tub.


• Clean up. Mop up spills immediately, but avoid waxing floors. Waxing can cause floors to become slippery and make it difficult to get adequate traction.


• Wear proper shoes. Avoid high-heeled and heavy shoes. Wear fitted shoes with non-skid soles. If your shoes have laces, keep laces tied snugly at all times.


• Realize eyesight may play a role. As we age, natural changes in our eyesight can make it difficult to see things on the floor and in our peripheral vision - to the far left or right of our field of vision. If you have osteoporosis, tripping or even bumping into an object can cause a fracture. Wear proper lenses for your vision needs and have your eyes examined regularly.

Just as it is important to prevent falls, it’s also important to know how to react if you do fall. First of all, don’t panic. Determine the extent of injury and pick yourself up very slowly and with the aid of a sturdy piece of furniture such as a couch or chair. Call a neighbor or relative for additional help. Don’t ignore a fall even if you don’t experience an injury. A fall, especially caused by dizziness, can be a symptom of an illness so it’s important to tell to your doctor.