Check Your Chances of Falling

As one gets older, the chances of falling increase, and with them the chances of long-lasting disability. Answer these 10 questions to see if you need to be better prepared against the risk of a fall at home.

1. Do you wear slippers at home that increase your odds of slipping?
2. Are your darker floor areas well-lit, so you won’t trip over the dog’s bone?
3. Do you have a night light for your nocturnal bathroom visits?
4. Do you enjoy climbing on stools, without getting someone else to help?
5. Do you have waxed floors or plenty of throw rugs?
6. Do you have your eyes checked every year for vision changes?
7. Are your feet sore from corns, bunions, or long toenails?
8. Are you taking a medicine that could make you dizzy? (read the label!)
9. Should you really be using a cane or a walker, but don’t?
10. Do you get regular exercise (e.g. walking) or have an exercise regime?

The “right” answers are: N,Y,Y,N,N,Y,N,N,N,Y. If you get more than three answers “wrong”, you should make some New Year’s resolutions. More than four, and take out extra insurance.

You can get more on preventing falls at the American Family Physician website, which provided most of these questions.