Decrease your fall risk by visiting your medical professionals

An open/honest dialogue with your doctor, pharmacist, and optometrist can help you prevent a life-altering fall.

Cindy Karasch:

Did you know that according to research, women are much more likely to be injured from a fall but men are more likely to die from their injuries if they fall. Hi and welcome to the second video of our four-part series on fall prevention. My name is Cindy Karasch and I’m the owner of Alternative Senior Care, a home care company serving Central Minnesota for over 15 years.

Cindy Karasch:

In our first video on fall prevention, we talked about the causes of falls in the elderly, and that falls are the leading cause of accidental death in people over the age of 65. Today, we’re going to discuss what you can do to decrease your chance or your loved one’s chance of falling when it comes to the internal or medical causes. Some of the health issues that can cause or can increase your chances of falling are arthritis, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s, as well as muscle weakness, poor balance, poor vision, and taking multiple medications.

Cindy Karasch:

So the big question is what can you do to lower your loved one’s risk for falling or your risk for falling? The good news is that there are many things that you can do to reduce the risk of falls and today’s tips all involve a medical professional.

Cindy Karasch:

So tip number one is, go talk to your doctor and remember that conversation needs to be open and honest. You can’t go in and deny that you’ve fallen, or even that you have fears of falling. When you have an open and honest dialogue with your doctor, it’s only then that he can begin to figure out what may be causing your falling.

Cindy Karasch:

Tip number two, you should get your eyes checked. This cartoon makes the best point, if he can’t see it, you’re going to trip over it or fall over it. You may just need to have a new prescription or even just an adjustment of your bifocals so go see your optometrist now.

Cindy Karasch:

Tip number three, make an appointment with your pharmacist for a review of your medications. When someone is taking more than three medications, they have a higher chance of falling because of the side effects of possible drug interactions. A pharmacist knows best about all those medications. We tell people to do a brown bag medication review, put all your prescription medications as well as over the counter medications and any herbal alternative medications, into a bag and bring it to the pharmacist.

Cindy Karasch:

All right. As a review, what can you do to prevent falls for you or a loved one? First thing, talk to your family doctor. Second, get your eyes checked. Third, do a brown bag medication review with your pharmacist.

Cindy Karasch:

So for more information on fall prevention, you can go to stopfalls.org or go to our webpage www.alternativeseniorcare.net and there’s some information on there, but be on the lookout for our video number three, where we’re going to show you what you can do yourself to prevent falls.

Cindy Karasch:

Bye for now, be safe.