Figuring out How to Prevent a Fall

September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and we can’t talk enough about ways to reduce the risk. A fall has serious risks, especially as we age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one out of four people (65 and older) falls each year. Unfortunately, less than half of this group will tell their doctor. For caregivers and loved ones, this is a sad statistic.

The doctors at The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine know the results of a fall, including fractures or more serious injury. The most concerning detail is the likelihood of falling again doubles after the first fall. That means it’s time to take tumbles seriously. Watch out for yourselves and your loved ones and support them while they fall-proof their home.

Try these steps:

Design to make a difference

There are so many ways to make changes in your home that help to reduce the risk of slips and trips. Start by looking around at the layout of your home. Do you have enough room to move throughout the house, or are you bumping into furniture or squeezing your way through narrow spaces? If a cluttered design is what defines your home, consider donating items or clearing your space.

Add light to make access easier

Are you afraid of the dark? Even if you aren’t, there are still many reasons to avoid moving around without light as your guide. Add nightlights to commonly traveled spaces in your home. Think of the bathroom, the kitchen, and even the hallways. With light, your loved ones may feel more comfortable going downstairs for a glass of water or walking to the bathroom.

Rid the home of slippery rugs

We’re not telling you to toss your rugs. We are telling you to either fix the slippery ones or donate them for use in another space. Slippery rugs are a safety hazard. As beautiful as they may look, rugs can often be the reason for a fall. Someone can get caught in the rug, the rug can slip on hardwood floors, etc.

Take a look around your home. With simple changes, you have already figured out how to prevent a fall.

At The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Levy, Dr. Nadia Levy, Dr. Diane Castro, Dr. Josef Geldwert, Dr. Katherine Lai, and Dr. Vera Malezhik treat various conditions such as sports injuries, ankle pain, diabetic wounds, heel pain, ingrown toenails, plantar warts, and neuromas. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, we offer cutting-edge care for patients in Midtown East and Manhattan. Contact our office at (212) 980-6487. Our office is at 120 E 56th Street, Suite 1150, New York, NY 10022. We continue to offer telemedicine appointments.