KEEPING YOUR INDEPENDENCE
How can I prevent falls?
Anyone can fall. But as we age, our risk of falling becomes greater. However, you can take steps to avoid or reduce the impact of a fall-related injury. To help you along your journey towards keeping independence, we encourage you to learn about each of the Four Main Pillars of Fall Prevention.
For more information, please consult the sections below for links to fall prevention guides and other resources which were developed by various provincial and national stakeholders such as the The Safe Living Guide.
Everyone can benefit from regular physical activity. The more you move and build your strength, balance and flexibility as you age, the better you will feel and the less likely you are to be injured in a fall.
Fortunately, it is never too late, and you are never too old to increase your level of physical activity. For more information, please click on the following link.
If you wish to reduce your risk of falling, it's essential to be able to identify and address the different hazards that may be present around you when completing your daily activities. This includes taking steps to make your home safer, having your vision checked annually, ensuring proper foot care and making sure that you use assistive devices the right way.
For more information about ways to avoid potential hazards, please click on the following link.
As we age, the way medications are handled by the body can change and increase the risk of falling. Keep in mind that some medications can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or unsteady on your feet. In addition, some drugs alone or in combination with other ones can increase the risk of falling. This is why it's recommended to have your primary care provider or pharmacist review all of your medications annually, especially if you are taking multiple prescription medications.
For more information about ways to reduce the potential risks associated with taking prescribed and over-the-counter medications, please click on the following link.
Falls usually happen due to a factor or a combination of factors that can be prevented. The good news is that there are many different health care professionals and a wide range of programs and services that are available to help reduce your risk of falling.
Don't wait! In addition to consulting your primary care provider at least once a year, you are encouraged to ask for support to help address any concerns you may have about falls whether it's for yourself or for others in your community.
For more information, please click on the following link.
