How To Prevent Falls and Injuries

Blog May 9, 2024

As we age, it’s crucial to stay safe and avoid slipping and falling. Our bones and joints may not be as strong as they used to be, so we need to be extra careful. Here are some easy tips to help you stay safe at home and when you’re out and about.

Making Sure Your Home is Fall-Proof

We spend a lot of our time at home, which means it’s essential to create and maintain an area free of tripping hazards. This involves:

• Ensuring walkways are clear of clutter and cords, and securing rugs with tape or non-slip pads.
• Providing ample bright lighting, particularly in accident-prone areas such as bathrooms and staircases. Motion-sensor lights offer both visibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Installing handrails on staircases and placing grab bars near the toilet and shower in the bathroom.

Being Aware of Your Surrounding

Wherever you are, staying aware of potential tripping hazards is important. That includes:

• Choosing sturdy, supportive footwear, whether you’re inside or outside.
• Staying mindful of uneven sidewalks or pavements that might pose a tripping hazard.
• Keeping an eye out for obstacles on the ground, such as bags, cords, sticks, or even furniture legs and loose rugs.
• Exercising caution on wet surfaces, particularly following rainfall, as they can become slippery.

Proactively Preventing Falls

Take proactive steps to prevent falls by incorporating simple exercises into your routine —Strengthening your balance and muscles can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. An easy exercise to try is:

1. Stand beside a sturdy chair and lift one foot off the ground, balancing on the other for a few seconds to a minute.
2. Switch legs and repeat the exercise with the other leg.

For those seeking more ways to stay active, explore the fitness programs available at Broadview at Purchase College. We offer chair yoga, aerobics, shadow boxing, ballroom dancing, and more! Experienced personal trainers are also here to help guide you through everyday movements specifically designed to enhance and sustain your balance.

For additional support, stylish yet practical accessories like canes and walking sticks are available to cater to various aesthetic preferences while providing essential support.

Falling Safely

When a fall is unavoidable, take care to minimize the risk of injury. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Stay relaxed and bend your elbows to help cushion the impact.
• Protect your head by either turning it to the side if falling forwards, or tucking your chin if falling backwards.
• Aim to land on your bottom or the softer areas of your body to better cushion the blow.
• If possible, roll with the fall rather than abruptly attempting to stop it.

How Living In a Senior Communities Helps Prevent Falls

Living in a senior community offers many ways to limit the likelihood of falls, such as:

• Well-maintained outdoor spaces shielded from harsh weather conditions, giving you peace of mind about slipping on untreated ice or snow.
• Thoughtfully designed interiors, featuring spacious walkways, elevators, and step-free entrances, which limit tripping hazards.
• On-site amenities curated to promote your overall well-being. Fitness centers provide ways to maintain your strength, while skilled personal trainers can lead you through balance-focused exercises aimed at bolstering stability and minimizing fall risks.

Even More Support Options Coming to Broadview at Purchase College

At Broadview, we prioritize your comfort and safety while offering lifelong learning and a vibrant senior lifestyle. Located at Purchase College in Westchester County, NY, our community provides a personalized environment tailored to your preferences and needs.

We are now excited to bring you enhanced assisted living right on our main campus. Coming in Spring of 2024, The High Point Center for Care will offer licensed, professional caregivers who will work with you in the comfort and privacy of your home. Access all the amenities you already love, including our fitness center and indoor bromine pool, with all-hours support for daily living activities with licensed nursing staff on-site around the clock, seven days a week.