By Beth Jennings, PT, MPT, CHWC
Tumbling to the ground in a fit of giggles seems commonplace for toddlers and children.
Falling while making a save in volleyball or scrambling for the goal is just part of the game.
Although tripping over the cat or slipping on the ice can make you feel less than athletic, they don't always end in injury.
September is FYZICAL’s Fight the Fall campaign, bringing awareness to fall prevention. At what age do falls change from silliness or fun to becoming a concern?
When Did Your Activity Level Change?
That’s not easy to answer for many of us. You might have played sports in your youth, danced into the late hours in your 20s, or even worked a physical job in your 40s, so you might look to when those activities stopped. But often changes occur gradually.
We can agree that no longer jogging down the stairs or popping up easily from the floor isn't that problematic, but small changes from how you used to move stack up and can affect your abilities.
When activity levels decline, your balance and stability can as well.
Dig The Well Before You're Thirsty
Your balance doesn't have to decline as you age. And you don’t need to wait until you feel unsteady or have a fall to work on it, so whether you are 35, 55, or 75, you can start today.
Add balance exercises to your gym program or talk with one of our FYZICAL physical therapists (PT) about how to incorporate balance training safely into a home routine.
If you’re curious, we have a balance screening event this month to highlight where you might need to focus. Keep reading to find out more about this event.
Sometimes Falls are No Laughing Matter
Before your relationship with your recliner grows closer than peanut butter on toast, let’s talk about why focusing on your activity level and balance is important.
About 20% of falls cause serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries. That’s one in five falls!
Falling ranks first in cause of death due to injury for adults 65 and older, with 36,000 deaths in 2020.
Emergency departments recorded 3 million visits in 2020 for falls in older adults.
Not to scare you here, but falls are serious for the older adult.
Reducing Falls in the Home
One easy step you can take is to survey your home for hazards. Clean up spills, keep clutter out of walkways, and use lights when you get up at night. It’s simple tips like these that can prevent an injury.
Wearing well-fitting footwear or cleaning your glasses can mean the difference between tripping and safely making it to your destination.
Are you looking for more home safety tips? Click here for our previous post on reducing hazards in the home.
Eat Corn, Listen to Music, and Get a Free Balance Screen
The team at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center–Forest Grove loves our community, and what better way to celebrate with you than at the annual Forest Grove Corn Roast and Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16.
You can have your balance screened at our clinic on Pacific Avenue any day.
Is your balance as good as it used to be?
Can your balance be improved?
We’d love to chat with you about it. Or stop by and say hello if you’ve worked with us in the past. We’d love to know what you are up to.
Are you looking for more help with your balance but can’t stop by the Corn Roast in Forest Grove? Contact us, and we’ll talk to you about how we can help.
We want you to live your best life.
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Beth Jennings, PT, MPT, CHWC is a physical therapist and a health and wellness coach.
Disclaimer This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021 August 6. Facts About Falls. Retrieved September 8, 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html