Have your health care provider review your medications

Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take (including ones that don't need prescriptions such as cold medicines). As you get older, the way some medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed which can lead to a fall.

Have your vision checked
Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.

Consider using an assistive device to improve stability with walking.

As unsteadiness increases, people will often hold on to furniture or the walls to improve stability while walking in the home. This is often a sign that an assistive device is needed to improve safety with walking.

Assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, and walkers with wheels can prevent falls, Use of these devices makes people more confident with walking and allows people to maintain a normal activity level.

Many different types of assistive devices are available. A physical therapist can help you decide which is best for you.

Canes

Walker

Walker with wheels

Other Things You Can Do to Prevent Falls

· Get up slowly after you sit or lie down. When getting up from bed, sit briefly and move ankles, hips, and knees before standing.

· Wear sturdy shoes with thin, non-slip soles. Avoid slippers and running shoes with thick soles.

· Improve the lighting in your home. Use brighter light bulbs (at least 60 watts). Use lamp shades or frosted bulbs or reduce glare.

· Use reflecting tape at the top and bottom of the stairs so you can see them better.

· Paint doorsills a different color to prevent tripping.

Other Safety Tips

· Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone

· Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can't get up or keep a portable phone in your walker basket.

· Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in
case you fall and can't get up.