Preventing Falls

How to Prevent Falls in your Home

Exercise - for individuals with a visual impairment, staying active is critical. Inactivity can lead to weakness and contributes to the chances of falling. Non-aerobic and non-impact exercise programs are available from your health care provider.
Make your home a safe place:
- Keep the walking path from room to room, and the stairs free of obstacles.
- Throw rugs that may slip or trip, can be secured with double sided tape.
- Move items you use to cabinets you do not have to use a step stool to reach.
- Put grab bars in the bathroom, and non skid mats
- Use shoes that give support and have non-slip soles.
Review your medications: as you age your metabolism changes and the amount of medications you need to reach the same effect may change. Many medications can make you drowsy or light-headed.
Have your vision checked.

Last Revised: August 17, 2010