There are six warning signs that you might be at risk of a fall.  If you are over 65 years of age read these  six items and see if any of them apply to you.

1. Previous Falls: one fall in the past six months; 2. Fear of Falling: afraid that you will fall;  3.Medications/Drugs: using sedatives, fluid pills, recreational drugs, blood pressure pills or more than 4 medications;  4. Balance and Mobility: any problems with balance or unable to raise from a chair;  5. Medical Conditions: for example, Stroke or Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, dementia or Alzheimer disease;  6. Vision Problems: blurred/double vision, difficulty seeing steps or walking in dim light.

If you have checked two of the warning signs you are at an increased risk for falling.

These are the top 10 tips to reduce your chance of having a fall:  1. Slow down and take time to be safe. 2. Be physically active for a total of 30 to 60 minutes most days.  3. Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. 4. Discuss your medication and supplements with your doctor or pharmacist. 5. Eat a healthy balanced diet, drink plenty of water and limit your alcohol. 6. When walking outside, be aware of your surroundings and watch where you step. 7. Use safety equipment such as canes, walkers, grab bars & rubber bath mats. 8. Wear non-slip shoes, boots & slippers that fit well & seek treatment for foot problems. 9. Use a night-light and keep a flashlight by your bed. 10. Complete a home safety checklist available online or through your healthcare provider.

There are several things on the above list that Community Care can assist you with.  We hold supervised indoor walking programs in both Picton and Wellington (to be restarted very soon, watch this column); eating a healthy diet is easy with hot or frozen Meals on Wheels; stay active by participating in Community Care’s Active Living programs that are held both online and in-person, call 613-476-7493 and ask about our foot care clinics.

For more tips and information about the prevention of falls go to www.canada.ca and search for “you can prevent falls.” The information in this column was taken from a toolkit on falls prevention developed through the Government of Ontario.

-Debbie MacDonald Moynes