Caring for a senior is tough enough. Now imagine your loved one falling and breaking a wrist or, worse yet, a hip. Even an apparently minor fall can be a life-changing event for both a senior and her caregiver that often leads to decreased independence and increased stress. For these reasons, it is critically important to do everything practical to avoid a fall from occurring in the first place.

As we age, we tend to decrease our physical activity and increase our medications while our vision diminishes. These factors contribute to falls being the leading cause of emergency room visits for those over the age of seventy. Sadly, over half of those hospitalized as a result of a fall never return to live in their home. Preventing a fall, or at least greatly reducing the likelihood of falling, is possible, but it does require some effort.

Your physician or a gerontologist can perform a fall risk assessment upon request. The risk assessment should include analysis of one’s gait, vision, cognitive impairment, sensory loss and medications. How the various medications interact with one another is of particular importance.

With your physician’s approval, begin a moderate exercise routine. Even a little exercise is better than none at all. Yoga and Tai Chi are excellent means of maintaining flexibility and improving balance. The Sit & Be Fit video series is also a good tool to support a regular exercise routine. A special fall prevention workout video is available from the San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force for a nominal fee (650-367-5991).

Most falls occur in the home, and many of these can be prevented. Some of the easy to rectify home hazards include making sure your pathways are clear of obstructions, removing throw rugs, installing grab bars in the bathrooms, eliminating loose cords and wires, having sturdy railings on both sides of the stairs (both inside and outside of the home) and rearranging closets and cabinets to ensure frequently needed items are within easy reach. A detailed home safety checklist is available free of charge at www.homesafety.net.

Poor diet can also contribute to dizziness and falls. Maintaining adequate hydration and caloric intake is essential as we age in order to prevent a fall from occurring.

Do not run to answer the phone. Never use a chair as a stepladder. Increase the wattage of your lights to the maximum allowed by the fixture. Take it slowly when getting up. Sit down to get dressed. Turn on lights when using the bathroom at night. Get a new pair of thin-soled slippers.