Falls are serious at any age, but especially for older people who are more likely to break a bone when they fall because of osteoporosis, which weakens the bones. Someone may not even know they have osteoporosis until a fall causes a bone to break.

Why Do People Fall?

• Tripping or slipping due to loss of footing or traction
• Slow reflexes, which make it hard to keep your balance or move out of the way of a hazard
• Balance problems
• Reduced muscle strength
• Poor vision
• Illness
• Taking medicines
• Drinking alcohol.

Illness and some medicines can make you feel dizzy, confused, or slow. Medicines that may increase the risk of falls are:

• Blood pressure pills
• Heart medicines
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Muscle relaxants
• Sleeping pills.

Drinking alcohol can lead to a fall because it can:

• Slow your reflexes
• Cause you to feel dizzy or sleepy
• Alter your balance
• Cause you to take risks that can lead to falls.

How Can I Prevent Falling?

At any age, people can make changes to lower their risk of falling. Some tips to help prevent falls outdoors are:

• Use a cane or walker
• Wear rubber-soled shoes so you don’t slip
• Walk on grass when sidewalks are slick
• Put salt or kitty litter on icy sidewalks.

Some ways to help prevent falls indoors are:

• Keep rooms free of clutter, especially on floors
• Use plastic or carpet runners
• Wear low-heeled shoes
• Do not walk in socks, stockings, or slippers
• Be sure rugs have skid-proof backs or are tacked to the floor
• Be sure stairs are well lit and have rails on both sides
• Put grab bars on bathroom walls near tub, shower, and toilet
• Use a nonskid bath mat in the shower or tub
• Keep a flashlight next to your bed
• Use a sturdy stepstool with a handrail and wide steps
• Add more lights in rooms
• Buy a cordless phone so that you don’t have to rush to the phone when it rings and so that you can call for help if you fall.

You can also do exercises to improve your balance. While holding the back of a chair, sink, or counter:

• Stand on one leg at a time for a minute and then slowly increase the time. Try to balance with your eyes closed or without holding on.
• Stand on your toes for a count of 10, and then rock back on your heels for a count of 10.
• Make a big circle to the left with your hips, and then to the right. Do not move your shoulders or feet. Repeat five times.

Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases