Falls service

Winter Falls 2017

Winter 2017 Falls

Top tips to stay steady

Here are our 8 TOP TIPS to help you stay steady and strong!

1. Exercise regularly. Focus on activities that challenge your balance and strengthen your legs. Activities like gardening, dancing, tai chi or special balance and stability classes.
2. Check your eyes and hearing. Regular sight tests and reporting ear pain or difficulties with hearing can identify problems that could affect your balance and co-ordination. Eye tests are free for everyone over 60 and for any problems with your ears, speak to your GP.
3. Ask about your medicines. Certain medicines can make you feel faint or affect your balance. Let your GP or community pharmacist know if you ever feel like this. They may want to change your dose or look at alternatives.
4. Visit your GP or Practice Nurse - If you’ve had a fall or are worried about falling, tell your surgery, even if you feel okay. There could be many reasons and, equally, many ways to help you feel confident again.
5. Vitamin D for Vitality . Vitamin D is essential for keeping bones strong – the best source is sunshine. Try going outside without sunscreen for a few minutes around lunchtime every day during summer. Take care not to let your skin redden or burn. Some foods such as oily fish or eggs also provide vitamin D.
6. Count your calcium. A balanced diet rich in calcium will also help to keep your bones strong. You can find calcium in milk and dairy foods such as cheese and yoghurt, fortified soya products and canned fish.
7. Check for home hazards - Make sure your home is hazard-free and well lit. Organise your things so that you’re not at risk of tripping over any wires, clutter or loose or frayed carpets.

Look after your feet. Problems with your feet, especially anything that causes pain, can affect your balance. Be sure to wear well-fitted shoes and slippers. Report any foot problems to your GP, Practice Nurse or chiropodist.

Thanks to Age UK for the Top Tips 2015