Guard Your Independence!

Protect Yourself from Falls

What’s the Problem?

• One out of three over age 65 fall each year • Serious health risk• Seniors lose their independence • One half to two-thirds of falls happen at home• Cost: $43.8 billion by 2020

Risk Factors

• Lower body weakness• Problems with walking and balance• Multiple medications• Other health conditions

Reduce Your Risk

• Exercise regularly

• Review medications

• Pay attention to your health

• Make your home safer

Exercise Regularly

• Increase upper and lower body strength• Work on hand strength• Improve balance and coordination• Increase overall sense of well-being

Review Medications

• Reduce side effects and interactions

• See a doctor or pharmacist

Pay Attention to Your Health

• Make regular visits to your doctor• Monitor recurring health issues• Schedule vision and hearing checks

Make Your Home Safer

• Easy Modifications

• Design Changes

Look for Common Risk Factors

• Tripping hazards• Lack of railings or grab bars• Slippery surfaces• Awkward reaches, storage• Poor lighting• Unstable furniture

Easy Modifications

• Kitchen

• Bathroom

• Bedroom

• Closets

More Easy Modifications!

• Floors

• Hallways, steps, stairs

• Lighting

• Entrances, doors

Making Design Changes

• Improve accessibility and adaptability

• Incorporate Universal Design principles

• Build safety into your pre-retirement plans

Do It Now!

• For those who live there AND your visitors!

• Maximize your return on investment

• Piggyback your projects

Who Can Help?

• Health care provider• Public health department• Centers for Disease Control

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/falls/default.htm

• Minnesota Safety Councilhttp://www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/

seniorsafe/falls

• AARPhttp://www.aarp.org/life/homedesign

Sources

• Administration on Aging, United States Department of Health and Human Services

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Produced by the Minnesota Safety Council

with funding from the National Safety Council

Copyright 2004