Why Doctors Are Concerned About Falls In Older Adults

An older adult falls every second of every day. The older you are, the higher your risk for a fall. This is important to doctors because falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injuries in older adults. Seniors are at higher risk due to a number of factors, such as side effects of medications, poor eyesight, and weakening muscles. Falls aren’t just a normal part of aging-they are preventable.

How To Prevent Falls

1. Review your medication list regularly with your primary care physician and take all medications as instructed.

2. Take vitamin D for improved bone, muscle and nerve health.

3. Tell your doctor right away if you have fallen, or if you feel unsteady or are afraid you might fall.

4. Make your home safe by installing grab bars in the bathroom, use nightlights where there are stairs, remove throw rugs and keep your home free of clutter.

5. Have a vision screening at least once per year and update your glasses as needed.

Until recent years, doctors rarely talked to older patients about their risk for falls. Today, having an ongoing discussion about falls with patients 65 and older is part of routine preventative care. This becomes even more important as the population of older adults increases in the coming years.

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Weekly Health Tips are brought to you by UCF Health, the College of Medicine’s physician practice. Offering primary and specialty care under one roof, UCF Health treats patients age 16 and up in primary care and age 18 and up for specialty care. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Two locations are now open: the original in East Orlando at Quadrangle and University boulevards just blocks from the main UCF campus, and the newest one in Medical City at Narcoossee Road and Tavistock Lakes Boulevard. Information for both facilities can be found at UCFHealth.com, or call (407) 266-DOCS to schedule an appointment.

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• falling falls geriatrician geriatrics health healthy lifestyle healthy living medication older adults preventative care prevention primary care risk senior seniors