We're all unique, yet certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can make falls more likely. The good news? Many of these risks can be managed, reduced, or even removed with the right approach. Taking action on them not only makes you safer but also enables you to maintain independence and confidence in your daily life.
Foot Pain: The Foundation of Stability
Painful feet can make every step an agony, and a slip or stumble even more likely. If sore, swollen, or painful feet are slowing you down, a visit to a podiatrist can be a miracle worker. Custom shoes, orthotics, or simple modifications in foot care can provide the support and comfort you need to walk more steadily. After all, happy feet spell a steadier gait!
Vision Problems: Seeing Your Way to Safety
Your eyesight plays a key role in fall prevention. Blurry vision, depth perception problems, or difficulty adjusting to lighting changes can lead you to misstep or trip over objects. If cataracts are obscuring your vision, surgery can make a huge difference. And another simple fix? Swapping multifocal or bifocal glasses with single-lens glasses for outdoor walking. This simple change eliminates distortions that can result in missteps on uneven surfaces, making you a more confident walker.
Medications: Bringing Side Effects Under Control
Some medications can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or unsteadiness—putting you at greater risk for falls. A review of your medications by your doctor or pharmacist can reveal any medications that might be affecting your balance. Some changes, such as prescribing safer alternatives, lowering doses, or weaning you off certain medications, can have a tremendous effect. Your doctor can also check to see if you're getting enough vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones and reducing the risk of fractures in the event that a fall does happen.
Foot Pain: The Foundation of Stability
Painful feet can make every step an agony, and a slip or stumble even more likely. If sore, swollen, or painful feet are slowing you down, a visit to a podiatrist can be a miracle worker. Custom shoes, orthotics, or simple modifications in foot care can provide the support and comfort you need to walk more steadily. After all, happy feet spell a steadier gait!
Vision Problems: Seeing Your Way to Safety
Your eyesight plays a key role in fall prevention. Blurry vision, depth perception problems, or difficulty adjusting to lighting changes can lead you to misstep or trip over objects. If cataracts are obscuring your vision, surgery can make a huge difference. And another simple fix? Swapping multifocal or bifocal glasses with single-lens glasses for outdoor walking. This simple change eliminates distortions that can result in missteps on uneven surfaces, making you a more confident walker.
Medications: Bringing Side Effects Under Control
Some medications can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or unsteadiness—putting you at greater risk for falls. A review of your medications by your doctor or pharmacist can reveal any medications that might be affecting your balance. Some changes, such as prescribing safer alternatives, lowering doses, or weaning you off certain medications, can have a tremendous effect. Your doctor can also check to see if you're getting enough vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones and reducing the risk of fractures in the event that a fall does happen.
