Council on Aging - Answers 2024-25 - 25

COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
steady when you walk. Using
canes and walkers correctly can
help prevent falls.
n Use caution when walking
on wet or icy surfaces at
home or outdoors.
n Keep your hands free. Use
a shoulder bag, fanny pack, or
backpack to leave your hands
free to hold on to railings. Railings are designed
for your safety.
n Wear nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes.
Avoid socks or in shoes/slippers with smooth soles.
n Consider staying inside when the weather is bad.
n Always tell your doctor if you have fallen,
even if you did not feel pain
when you fell. A fall can alert
your doctor to a new medical
problem or issues with your
medications or eyesight that
can be corrected. Your doctor
may suggest physical therapy,
a walking aid, or other steps to
help prevent future falls.
What to do if you fall
Whether you are at home or somewhere else,
a sudden fall can be startling and upsetting.
Remember to stay as calm as possible and take
the following steps:
n Breathe. Take several deep breaths to try to relax.
Remain still on the floor or ground for a few moments.
This will help you get over the shock of falling.
n Decide if you are hurt. Getting up too quickly
or in the wrong way could make an injury worse.
n Crawl to a sturdy chair. If you think you can
get up safely without help, roll over onto your side.
Rest again while your body and blood pressure
adjust. Slowly get up on your hands and knees,
and crawl to a sturdy chair.
n Slowly sit down in the chair. Put your hands on
the chair seat and slide one foot forward so that it's
flat on the floor. Keep the other leg bent so the knee
is on the floor. From this kneeling position, slowly
rise and turn your body to sit in the chair.
Council On Aging - Southern California | 714-479-0107 | www.coasc.org
Every 11
seconds
an older adult is treated
in the emergency
room for a fall.
n Get help. If you are hurt or
cannot get up on your own, ask
someone for help or call 911. If
you are alone, try to get into a
comfortable position and wait
for help to arrive. Prepare for a
fall by keeping a well-charged
cordless or mobile phone with
you at all times and arrange for
daily contact with a family member or friend.
Emergency response systems are another option:
These systems enable you to push a button on a
special necklace or bracelet to call for help. Some
smartwatches also have this feature and mobile
phones have voice-activated features, like Siri.
Every 19
minutes
an older adult
dies from a fall.
Keep your bones strong to
prevent fall-related fractures
n Healthy healthy bones won't
necessarily prevent a fall, but if
you do fall, healthy bones may
help prevent serious injury, such
as breaking a hip or other bone.
Bone breaks and fractures can
lead to a hospital or nursing home stay, long-term
disability, or even death.
Reprinted from National Institute on Aging -For
additional information visit www.nia.nih.gov
Answers Guide 24/25
25
HEALTHCARE & WELL-BEING
http://www.nia.nih.gov http://www.coasc.org
Council on Aging - Answers 2024-25

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