Falls are a leading cause of serious injuries in older adults that can lead to hospitalization, nursing home admission and even death among older people. In fact, one in every three adults over the age of 65 falls each year.

Health problems such as arthritis, heart disease, muscle weakness, poor balance and foot problems can increase your chance of falling. Dangerous things around the home – slippery throw rugs, and poor lighting, for example – make falls more likely as well.

If you are an older adult or you are in charge of care for an older person, please follow the steps below:

1. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a fall. It is important for you to tell them what might have caused the fall – whether you tripped over something or got dizzy and lost your balance, or felt your legs “go out” from under you. This important information will be used to help you avoid falling again.

2. Review your medications. Take them with you to your next visit with your healthcare provider. Your provider may change the dose, or prescribe another type of medicine for you. Your doctor may also check your balance, leg strength and function, examine the way you walk. Based on their findings he or she may recommend physical therapy, balance training, a cane or walker or even a wheelchair to lower your risk of falls.

3. Make your home safe from falls:

• Remove loose carpets and rugs or tack down the carpets and only use rugs with nonskid backing.

• Add lights in dimly lit areas, at the top and bottom of stairs and hallways.

• Put hand rails on both sides of any steps or stairs in or outside of your home.

• Add “grab bars” near the toilet and bath tub, and no slip decals or a rubber mat in the tub or shower.

What may not be an obstacle to you may be to your elder loved one. You need to have a plan.

Many of the products needed to make your home safe can be found at Abilities Unlimited NW. For more information please call us at 425-485-7454.

Angelina K. Durst works at Abilities Unlimited Northwest located at at 17901 Bothell-Everett Highway, F104 in Bothell.