What can spoil your day faster than you can say, “Ouch”? A fall. As we age, maintaining our independence goes hand in hand with protecting our safety. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the number one cause of injury for adults 65 and older1, putting us at risk of serious injury. And falls are a big blow to our confidence, too.
The good news – your walking/gardening/dancing days are far from over. Most falls are preventable. September is Fall Prevention Awareness Month2, so it’s a perfect time to learn how to strengthen our bodies, make our homes safer, and know what to do in case of a fall. Read on for three strategies to master fall prevention.
Boost your strength and stability
Remember the adage about the tree branch that bends – and doesn’t break? That can be you! Yoga and stretching keep you loose and limber. Squats, lunges, standing on one leg, and a heel-to-toe walk are all excellent ways to strengthen muscles and increase stability.
Want to make exercise part of your daily life? Schedule regular walks or classes with a friend…fun and accountability rolled into one! Get creative, weaving multiple mini workouts into your day. Fill your water bottle while balancing on one foot (close to a stable surface to grab onto if needed). Do squats while drying dishes. Lunge-walk your way to the mailbox. And stretch before bed to calm your mind and relax your muscles.
Guard against falls at home
Examine rooms for common household hazards that could trip you up…literally. Secure rugs, corral cords, and regularly put away small items like shoes or pet’s toys. Make a few simple safety modifications. Be sure spaces are well lit. In tubs and showers, use nonslip bathmats and install handrails.
Canes, walkers, or hiking poles, can assist in many scenarios: climbing stairs, recovering from surgery, facing slippery walkways, or whenever you need a little extra balance support.
What to do if you fall
You do your best, but sometimes falls happen. The first step is stay calm and check for injuries. Then get help. If you’re in pain or having trouble moving, stay where you are to prevent an injury from getting worse. Alert a friend, family member, or medical provider, or reach out for emergency assistance.
A medical alert device, like those made by Medical Guardian, ensures help is always there for you at the push of a button. You may not have your phone should you fall. But Medical Guardian’s devices can be worn as a stylish and discreet watch, necklace, or clipped to a belt so you can instantly connect with trained emergency personnel – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Peace of mind is a glorious thing. Medical Guardian's personal safety alert devices deliver help with one simple button push. All of their devices can be equipped with comforting features like fall detection technology, GPS tracking to pinpoint your location, and two-way voice communication. Plus, the devices are water resistant, have the longest range in the industry, and have days-long battery life. In short, they can go along wherever life takes you, and keep you safe with total peace of mind.
Pick the design that best fits your style. Medical Guardian has a device for any lifestyle! U.S.-based customer service reps are ready to talk through all your setup questions.
Click here to get 50% off the MGMini when you use code FALLSAFETY50.
SOURCES:
1 CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html#:~:text=adult%20fall%20trends.-,Falls%20are%20the%20leading%20cause%20of%20injury%20for%20adults%20ages,adults%20report%20falling%20every%20year.
2 National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/page/falls-prevention-awareness-week-toolkit
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