A fall can cause serious injury to a person of any age. But studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) find that older Americans face the highest risk of suffering a fall and of enduring a severe injury as a result. Consequently, experienced Texas slip and fall injury lawyers encourage families to help older loved ones find ways to reduce their fall risks.
According to the CDC, one in every three adults over the age of 65 suffers a fall. Each year, two million older adults need emergency room care for injuries suffered in a fall. Hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries are among the most common types of harm caused by a serious fall, and they can significantly affect the quality of an older person’s remaining years.
Encourage older loved ones to help themselves prevent falls by:
- Getting regular exercise. Weakness in the legs and core greatly increases the risk of a fall. Encourage older adults to participate in gentle exercises like tai chi, gentle yoga, or walking to improve balance and strength and reduce the risk of a fall.
- Pay attention to medication warnings. Many medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness as a side effect, increasing the risk of a fall. Ask the pharmacist to review medications, and plan to avoid activity until the effects of a new medication are known.
- Get an eye exam. Poor vision also increases the chances of a fall. Regular eye exams can help keep an older person’s vision sharp and help them avoid obstacles.
- Check the house for hazards. Uneven floors, loose rugs, missing or wobbly hand railings, and burned-out lights can all increase the risk of a fall. Check an older loved one’s living spaces with them, and offer to make simple repairs to reduce fall risks.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, please contact the reliable personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of W.T. Johnson. Our toll-free number is (214) 231-0555.
