How to Reduce Your Risk of Falling

Falls are preventable. Here’s what you can do, according to a podiatric surgeon.

Falls are costly — and deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in four older adults suffers from falls annually. The death rate associated with falls has also steadily increased since 2012. In 2015, the medical cost of falls in the U.S. was approximately $50 billion — a number that is far higher today due to an increasing number of falls.
 
Falls can lead to the most unwarranted outcome: death. Although death may not be immediate after a fall, it can result from devastating complications such as a hip fracture or bleeding risk.
 
How can you prevent falls from happening? Chia-Ding Shih, DPM, MPH, a podiatric surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC specializing in chronic wounds of the foot and ankle, lower extremity biomechanics and foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, discusses risk factors for falls and strategies for fall prevention.

Risk factors for falls

Many risk factors contribute to the staggering number of falls-related deaths. Recognizing these potential risk factors for falls is the first step toward preventing falls.
 
Fall prevention strategies should target each risk factor to reduce the risk of falling. A CDC-led initiative, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI), provides guidance to help patients and clinicians assess and reduce the risk of falls.
 
Top risk factors for falls include:

• Any weakness of the lower extremities and/or balance issues
• Taking medications that may cause drowsiness
• Taking blood thinners
• Low blood pressure
• Impaired vision
• Ill-fitting footwear
• Home hazards such as uneven floors, throw rugs, stairs, etc.
• Vitamin D deficiency

Fall prevention

The first step in preventing falls may be a discussion with your primary care physician. Modifying medications may mitigate a number of risk factors linking medications with falls.
 
Your primary care physician can also refer you to an optometrist and a podiatrist who can address such problems as impaired vision and ill-fitting footwear.
 
Occupational and physical therapists can also help by assessing falling hazards at home. They also guide patients in strengthening exercises for fall prevention. One of the exercises evidence has shown effectively helps prevent falls is tai chi.
 
You can also learn more to help friends and loved ones prevent falls.

Staying mindful

Taking preventive measures to mitigate falls can be straightforward, but it is important to remember that, as with any other chronic disease, long-term management is required to prevent falls in the future.
 
Ongoing fall prevention practices include:

• Speaking to your primary care physician about your concern about falling
• Following up with optometrists for regular vision checkups
• Checking in with podiatrists for lower extremity checkups and footwear recommendations
• Working with occupational therapists to modify home hazards
• Training with physical therapists on core and lower extremity strengthening exercises
• Engaging in routine, nonstrenuous exercises such as tai chi or yoga

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