Preventing Falls: Staying Strong, Safe, and Independent

By Marketing Coordinator Gwen DeGross

Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to assess your fall risk.

Supporting the health and safety of Elders is a priority and is something that Southcentral Foundation takes seriously. While falls are a leading cause of injury for Elders, they are not an inevitable part of aging. Preventing falls is vital to maintaining independence and quality of life and SCF offers a wide range of resources to assist Elders stay active and safe.

Who is at Risk?

Elders are more likely to fall due to factors such as decreased muscle strength, loss of sensation in limbs, joint and muscle pain, dizziness or loss of balance, vision problems, and the use of multiple prescription medications daily. You may be at risk if you have fallen in the past month, limited or stopped activity for fear of falling, had a difficult time completing usual tasks, or get dizzy when getting out of bed or standing up.

Steps You Can Take Today to Prevent Falls:

Fall prevention is important to improve safety and avoid injury. By working with your integrated care team, you can learn steps and make changes to stay strong, improve balance, and support independence.

“Exercises that customer-owners might want to try at home include sit-to-stand, wall or chair squats, and unilateral heel raises at the kitchen counter,” Dr. Fredrick Lief, SCF integrated physical therapist said. “Group classes in Tai Chi, yoga, and balance training, have shown excellent results in decreasing the risk of falls as we age. Research supports the notion that it is never too late to try and improve one’s balance.”

Stay Active and Hydrated

Regular physical activity supports improved strength and balance. Remember to drink water before and after activities to prevent dizziness and fatigue.

Prioritize Vision and Hearing Care

Schedule appointments with SCF Optometry for vision tests and SCF Audiology for hearing tests. Corrective lenses or hearing aids can significantly reduce your fall risk.

Make Your Home Safer

Identify and remove hazards, improve lighting, use non-slip rugs, and install grab bars and handrails where needed.

Talk to Your Primary Care Team

Discuss your fall risk with your primary care provider. They can review your chart and connect you to integrated pharmacists for medication reviews, a home visit team for a home safety evaluation and recommendations, and Rehabilitation Therapies and Exercise for strength training.

Fall prevention is more than just safety — it is about staying self-sufficient. Stay strong, stay mobile, and stay independent with support from SCF’s Aging Well services.

For more information and access to educational materials on fall prevention and other topics like this, visit SCF’s Aging Well page.