The Daily Spine
Tips for Living Well With Back Pain
About 1/3 of seniors fall every year. Falls are the leading cause of death and injury (including spinal fractures) in people over 65. The risk of falling increases as you age.
But falls don't have to be inevitable, says Dr. Judy Stevens from the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. She recommends these preventative steps:
- Get regular exercise that develops leg strength and balance. Tai chi is a good way to do this.
- Have your doctor check your medications for side effects or drug interactions that may create dizziness.
- Get your eyes checked. Vision problems may interfere with your balance.
- Fall-proof your home by cleaning up clutter, removing throw rugs, and moving electrical cords away from main traffic areas.
- Keep your home well lit.
- Wear shoes inside the house.
The CDC has a great safety check list for more ideas on how to prevent falls in the home.
Sources:
Self-Reported Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Persons Aged >65 Years --- United States, 2006. MMWR. CDC. March 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5709a1.htm
Check for Safety A Home Fall Prevention: Checklist for Older Adults. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC. 2005. http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/pubs/English/booklet_Eng_desktop-a.pdf
Adult Falls. Violence and Injury Prevention Podcast. CDC. June 07. http://www.cdc.gov/injury/podcast.html#featured
