Just one fall can result in an older person ending up in hospital, nursing home or even death. Falls result in countless cuts, hip fractures, broken bones or head injuries every year. Studies show that falls are the most common cause of head or brain injuries which accounted for almost half of deaths in 2011.

While obviously both men and women fall, men are 34 percent more likely to fall than women. So what can you do keep yourself fall-free and healthy? As we continue to talk about falls this month, here are more tips to keep upright:

• Keep the things you use most often accessible and handy. Ask for help when getting things from higher cupboards. Avoid reaching and climbing.
• Ask for help when carrying heavier objects. Never try to lift or carry heavy or  large objects alone.
• Long nightgowns, robes or coats  or log pant legs that may cause tripping. Keep them shorter.
• Avoid slippery soles, high heels or sloppy shoe laces.
• Considering taking strength training and balance classes at your local hospital or  senior center.
• Be careful of medications. Combining various prescriptions and over-the-counter  medicines may increase your fall risk.
• Watch your  blood pressure. Certain medications can cause a sudden drop in blood  pressure when you stand or move quickly leading to a fall.
• Don’t  stand up too quickly. Never go from laying flat to standing without sitting up first.
• Sit in chairs with arms and without wheels that can move and cause falls.

Look around your home or the home of a parent who may have troubles with falls. What simple changes could you make to help reduce falls in the home?

Medical Department Store carries lift chairs and grab bars that can help to reduce falls.  Talk to one of our equipment specialist today to learn how to you home and life safer.

Summer is no time for a fall! Even with the risk of slippery ice or snow, falls are still an issue in the summer. Over two million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized in 2010.

Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions and are the leading cause of injury death in people over age 65. As many as one out of three adults age 65 and older fall each year yet less than half of those people tell their doctor about the fall.

Medical Department Store has put together some helpful tips to reduce falls reduce falls:

• Keep your stairs clutter free and make sure all carpet on the stairs is secure.
• Don’t be afraid to turn on lights in these areas. Keep hallways, walkways and paths are well-lit
• Avoid walking on wet floors and wipe up any spills right way.
• Have your eyes checked. Cataracts and macular  degeneration can increase falls.
• Keep cords out of walkways. That includes phone and electric cords.
• Keep all mail, magazines or newspapers off of the floor.
• Remove throw rugs and area rugs. In the bathroom,  only use rugs with rubber backing.
• Use no-slips grips and mats bathtubs and showers.
• Add grab bars in showers and tubs and by the toilet.
• Be sure all railings are secure. If you don’t have  railings, get some. This applies to indoor and outdoor stairs.

Look around your home or the home of a parent who may have trouble with falls. What simple changes could you make to help reduce falls in the home?

Medical Department Store carries lift chairs and grab bars that can help to reduce falls.  Talk to one of our equipment specialist today to learn how to you home and life safer.