Preventing Falls

fallPeople do things all the time that may cause them to fall. Falls can lead to injuries and can stop someone from doing what he or she enjoys. The good news is that many falls can be prevented.

What Puts Someone at Risk for Falling?

There can be problems in the environment, such as:

  • Poor lighting
  • Stairs that may be too steep or not in good repair
  • Floor surfaces that are uneven—for example, moving from a hardwood floor to a carpet
  • Outside surfaces that are uneven—for example, a sidewalk

Falls can also be caused by health issues, such as:

  • Balance, hearing, or vision changes
  • Muscle weakness or numbness
  • Normal aging
  • A fall in the past
  • Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, or other problems
  • Some medications
  • A history of falls

via Preventing Falls.