Falls & Balance

Many people experience increasing difficulty with balance and safe mobility as they age, which leads to the common and serious problem of falls. These problems are associated with loss of confidence and decreasing ability to function independently and can lead to the consideration of institutional care. Falls are also a major cause of death in the older population. Fortunately, most causes of falls and instability can be treated successfully, with improved mobility and fall risk reduced.

• muscle weakness - (difficulty rising from a sitting position without use of hands to push off)
  
  

• unsteady balance - (need to walk slowly with a wide base of support to maintain balance)
  
  

• certain medications increase risk (some blood pressure medications and some sedatives or anti-depressants

The chances are good that there will be a number of things that can be done to reduce fall risk, such as adjusting medications, obtaining physical therapy, starting an exercise regimen or receiving a device such as a cane or walker to make walking safer.

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