Living independently in our homes can become more difficult as we get older. Each year, millions of people aged 65 and older will fall. More than one out of four older people fall each year. Falling once doubles the chances of falling again. There are several things people can do to decrease the risks of falls in their homes.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the injuries resulting from older persons falling are staggering:
Make sure your home has plenty of light by adding light fixtures or brighter light bulbs. Safety lighting can make a massive difference in the security of your home, particularly if you live alone. You can install safety lights inside and outside your home to increase visibility. Motion sensor lights can also be a helpful tool to deter would-be intruders from approaching your home at night.
Decrease the risk of falls by installing and using handrails along each side of stairs and steps. Having railings at each entrance to your home is another excellent idea to help prevent falls, as you often have your hands full of items when you come inside, making it easier to lose your balance, trip, and fall.
A chairlift can be a great option if you have a multilevel home. Replace dangerous outdoor steps with a ramp. Widen narrow outdoor steps by removing material from both sides to create a wider landing area. Have a professional assess the structural integrity of your stairs or steps before changes are made.
Ensure enough light at the range, sink, and countertop areas. Install night lights and remove loose rugs or other items that are easy to trip over. Avoid the use of step stools. Cabinets should be easily reachable or have pull-down shelves. Non-slip, anti-glare flooring also reduces the risk of falls in kitchens.
One of the most common areas where falls occur is the bathroom. To make your bathroom safer and decrease the risk of falls:
Chiropractic care offers patients of all ages many benefits. Regular chiropractic care has been shown to decrease the risk of falls in older patients. Here are just a few essential health benefits of chiropractic care as you age:
Good posture and balance are vital to avoiding falls. General discomfort, dizziness, and improper spinal alignment can result in poor posture and balance, impacting how older adults stand and walk. Compensating for pain while moving can lead to instability and lack of confidence, which increases the risk of trips and falls. Chiropractic adjustments are beneficial in improving posture and increasing balance by gently moving vertebrae into proper alignment.
Many people assume that musculoskeletal pain is normal as you age. Pain is a sign of a problem and should not be ignored. Pain is one of the last symptoms to show up when there is a problem, and chiropractic care can improve overall health and musculoskeletal function while decreasing pain. When elderly individuals aren’t in pain, they will walk more assuredly and without fear of falling, reducing fall risk.
Whether an individual suffers from diagnosed vertigo or occasional dizziness, they are at a higher risk of falling than someone who doesn’t experience those symptoms. Vestibular disorders within the inner ear are usually responsible for dizziness. These situations can often be improved or corrected with regular chiropractic adjustments. When dizziness decreases, the risk of falling also significantly decreases.
Chiropractic care improves overall body function, including restoring proper blood flow. Many older people’s muscle function has decreased over time due to reduced blood flow to specific muscles (due to a misalignment of the spine) and a lack of use. A combination of chiropractic care and light exercise can help fully restore proper blood flow and muscle function, reducing muscle atrophy and making an individual’s body stronger and more stable, reducing the likelihood of falling.
If you think chiropractic care might be the right solution for your aches and pains, call The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness team today. After a thorough chiropractic assessment, we’ll develop an individualized treatment plan to meet your needs. Chiropractic treatments can help improve joint movement and relax tight and spasmed muscles without using pain medications or invasive procedures.
If you’re ready to take the next step in achieving relief and overall wellness, contact The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness team today. Dr. Joshua Lippincott has been serving patients for over 12 years and is passionate about helping people achieve their best health. Contact us online or call (636) 326-2525 to schedule your initial consultation.
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