Written by Osteopath, Aleasha Ball.
Am I at risk of a fall?
People can fall for many reasons; in some cases, a number of factors can combine and lead to a fall. The reason or causes of falls are known as risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to fall. Falls can be a sign of poor balance, weak muscles, poor vision, chronic disease, and many other things.
Falls can also be a sign of a new medical problem and should be discussed with your doctor. You can test your risk level by clicking on this quiz:
What is my risk of falling?
Even if you haven’t had a fall, reducing your risk of falling in the future is really important. You can talk to a team of healthcare professionals, if you have any concerns regarding your fall risk.
A GP can provide a medication review to ensure your medications are not a risk factor.
A GP can also assist in monitoring your bone mineral density levels. If this is low it can increase the chances of you fracturing a hip if you do have a fall.
A Podiatrist can manage foot pain and other feet conditions.
A Dietitian can help you with a healthy balanced diet.
An Osteopath for safe strengthening and balance exercise programs.
An Optometrist can check your eyes and correct visual problems e.g. Cataract surgery, consider single lens glasses for outdoor mobility.
Occupational Therapist to meet safety requirements. Such as installation of handrails around the home.
You can also do a home safety check yourself by clicking on the link: