If you’re getting older, your risk of falling may be going up. Falls can lead to injury, immobility, depression, and declining health. So, let’s take a moment to talk about falls, and look at ways you can prevent them.
An unexpected fall can do more than just physical injury. It can also take away the confidence that comes from independent living.
Unfortunately, falls become more of a risk as people age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 3 million older adults visited emergency departments for falls in 2021.
People ages 65 and older have a higher risk, especially if they’re taking medications that can cause dizziness. Additionally, there are health conditions that may increase your risk of falling.
To see if you’re at a higher risk, take this free online assessment.
Mastering fall prevention
Regardless of your risk factors, preventing falls is simple. Keeping walkways clear, using hand railings and wearing shoes with non-slip soles are great ways to reduce your risk.
Check out this online webinar to learn more about keeping you and your loved ones safe.
UCHealth provides several resources for fall prevention support: an educational stories page, Stepping On workshops, and classes via their events page—just search for “Fall Prevention.”
On top of these resources, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your specific falls risk. Your doctor will work with you to develop a fall prevention plan, so that if a fall does happen, you can be ready with treatment game plan to get back on your feet.
Learn more about falls and safety
Learning more about falls, how to prevent them, and why they happen in the first place is essential. These videos can help you understand more about prevention and what to do if you do fall.
- Why Falls Prevention Is Important
- Guided Exercise Video
- How to Get up from a Fall
- Social Interaction and Bathroom Health
- Home Hazards and How to Stay Safe
- Vision, Medications, and Footwear
Review more fall prevention resources here!
It’s also important to talk with your doctor about your specific falls risk and put together a plan to help prevent them. If a fall does happen, you and your provider can be ready for a treatment game plan to get you back on your feet.
For help finding a doctor, contact Member Advocates at 800-515-2220 weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Links to other sites are provided as a convenience, but Select Health does not endorse the third-party sites, information, or services.
The content included here is for your information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, this information does not guarantee benefits. To review your benefits, please reference your plan materials or call Member Services at 800-538-5038 weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711.
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