Strength and fitness key to preventing falls
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BROOKINGS — Falling is not a normal part of growing older. Falls cost our Nation an estimated $95,000 per minute in 2015, totaling $50 billion. Factors that increase fall risk are well known and strategies to prevent falls are well documented. Despite this knowledge, South Dakota was ranked fifth in the nation for death from falls between 2007 and 2016.
Falls Prevention Awareness Day will increase knowledge about how to prevent falls among older adults. “There are a lot of little things that we can do to reduce our risk of falling,” said Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist.
For example, installing night lights in hallways and stairways reduces our risk of falling by making it easier to see trip hazards, such as a pet. Other things we can do include reducing clutter, removing trip hazards (e.g., electrical cords) from walkways, having routine vision and hearing exams, wearing sensible shoes, discussing medication side effects with your pharmacist and exercising regularly, especially doing resistance or strength training.