Each year, an alarming number of people over the age of 65 experience a fall. Research has shown that as many as one in four older people fall every year.  Fortunately these falls can often be prevented. Some of the things you can do to prevent a fall include: talk to your doctor about your risk of falling and how to prevent falls, review your list of medicines with your pharmacist to determine if any of these cause dizziness, do strength and balance exercises such as Tai Chi and make your home safer with grab bars and removing items that can cause you to trip.  Sometimes, regardless of how careful you are, a fall will occur. When it does, it is prudent to have a safety device that allows you to signal for help or one that detects that a fall has occurred and will summon assistance.

Joan Ryan
Nanaimo Lifeline

nanaimolifeline.ca