Falls can result in cuts, bruises, broken bones and hip fractures in older people. Falls can also be deadly. Fall related brain injuries and deaths are increasingly common as we age and are even more dangerous to mean than women.

Are you, a parent or other loved one at a higher risk for a fall due to limited mobility? What would you do to increase your safety? What are some other ways to increase your safety and reduce your risk of falls?

The Medical Department Store suggests some ways to reduce taking a dangerous fall:

• Be careful when starting a new medication until you know how it affects you. Some medications can cause dizziness or a suddeen drop in blood pressure when standing.
• Take all of the medications at the right times and in the right dosage. If you miss a dose or accidently take too many, contact a doctor or nurse right away.
• Watch out for wet floors, grass and sidewalks. If you see a Wet Floor sign, believe it. Remember that the floor may be wet even if it’s not marked, so scan the area before you walk on it.
• Choose sidewalks over grass. You can‘t always see holes in grassy lawns.
• Be careful with alcohol. While a glass of red wine may have health benefits, too much can raise your fall risk (and other risks too).
• Be careful mixing over-the-counter medicines with prescriptions drugs, they may gfight each other or magnify the affect. Tell your doctor about all of the prescriptions you’re taking.
• Stand up slowly if you are taking blood pressure medication. A sudden drop in blood pressure may leave you light headed and dizzy, leading to a fall.
• Sit in chairs with arms that will offer more support when standing or sitting. Avoid chairs with rollers that can move suddenly.
• Don‘t reach too high or too far. Over-reaching can cause you to lose your balance and fall.
• Stay upright and stay safe from your friends at Tim’s Home Medical Supplies.

The Medical Department Store carries lift chairs, walkers and bathroom safety equipment to increase your safety. See us today.

Fact:  1 out of 3 people over the age of 65 will suffer a fall this year. Will you be that one? What about a parent or spouse? It’s also common that the same people more than once throughout the year and their injuries can worsen every time.

Fact: Less than half of the people who sustain a fall will report it to a doctor which can lead to more falls.

The fear of falling is a very real and common fear amongst older people and people with limited mobility. This fear can cause the person to limit their activities, which can lead to more reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness. Loss of physical fitness and strength increases the risk of falling.

The Medical Department Store wants to offer some ideas on how can you prevent falls in your home:

• Keep all cords including phone cords, electric cords and vacuum cleaner cords out of the way.
• Paper, and especially the shiny paper of the magazines, is very slippery. Pick up all mail, papers and magazines off of the floor and never stack newspapers on any steps.
• Turn on the lights before walking into a room or down stairs inside or out. Consider installing motion detector lights that will turn on automatically.
• Area rugs are a major tripping hazard, so roll up the rugs throw rugs and put them away. Use rubber backed rugs in the kitchen or bath if you need them and never stand on towel while getting out of a tub or shower.
• Make sure all bathtubs and showers have secure bath mats or grips. Replace them if the start to slip.
• Increase safety in the bathroom with a shower chair and a hand held shower head from The Medical Department Store. Easy to use and easy to install, these simple devices can be a huge help in staying safe and preventing falls.