Fall prevention tips

Lawmakers are considering a bill to establish a statewide fall prevention and early detection program.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends seniors to ask their doctors or pharmacist to review their medications to see if any cause dizziness or drowsiness.

The following is more tips on how to avoid falls:

• Exercise regularly.  It is important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance, and that they get more challenging over time.  Tai Chi programs are especially good.
  
• Have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and update their eyeglasses to maximize their vision. Consider getting a pair with single vision distance lenses for some activities such as walking outside.
  
• Make their homes safer by reducing tripping hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways and improving the lighting in their homes.
  

To lower hip fracture risk, older adults can:

• Get adequate calcium and vitamin D from food and/or from supplements.
  
• Do weight-bearing exercises.
  
• Get screened and, if needed, treated for osteoporosis.