Healthy Feet Can Help Prevent Debilitating and Fatal Falls

 September 18-22 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week

The California Podiatric Medical Association Offers Easy Steps to Help Prevent Falls

"Falls are common, costly, and PREVENTABLE," said California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) President Diane Koshimune Guadron, DPM.  A podiatric foot and ankle specialist and surgeon, Dr. Koshimune Guadron, says, “Good foot health can help keep you on your feet.”

Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.— making falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in this age group (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]). 

According to the CDC:

• One out of four seniors will fall each year in the United States.

• About 36 million older adults fall annually, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths.

• Nearly 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for a fall injury yearly.

• One of every five falls causes an injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.

• Each year, at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.

• More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling—usually by falling sideways.

• Women fall more often than men, accounting for three-quarters of all hip fractures.

"While these numbers are daunting, they are not destiny," Dr. Koshimune Guardon said. "The vast majority of falls are PREVENTABLE! Healthy feet can help you stay on your feet. Falls Prevention Awareness Week raises awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.

"Seniors can take proactive steps to reduce their fall risk by developing a fall prevention plan. The first step in developing a customized prevention program should be visiting a podiatric foot and ankle specialist," says Dr. Koshimune Guadron.

“Age-related factors impacting the health of our feet include loss of strength and flexibility, increases in painful foot conditions like arthritis, bunions, bursitis, calluses corns, and diabetic nerve pain.  All of which can affect the gait (the way one walks) and the ability to maintain balance and coordination.

“Podiatric foot and ankle specialists (aka Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, Podiatrists) play an important role in reducing the risk of falls through foot health care, patient education, health promotion, rehabilitation, and mobility. This includes assessing and treating foot pain, identifying and correcting underlying biomechanical and gait abnormalities, prescribing exercise programs, and providing foot health and footwear advice.  All of which aid in preventing unnecessary injury or trauma, improve quality of life, reduce the incidence of falls, and lower morbidity and mortality resulting from falls,” Dr. Koshimune Guadron said.

CPMA Offers Helpful Steps to Take to Prevent Falls

• Find a good balance and exercise program.

Look to build balance, strength, and flexibility. Find a program you like and take a friend.

• Talk to your healthcare provider.

Ask for an assessment of your risk of falling. Share your history of recent falls.

• Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist

Make sure side effects don’t increase your risk of falling. Take medications only as prescribed.

• Have your feet, vision, and hearing checked.

Your feet, eyes, and ears are key in helping to prevent falls.

• Keep your home safe.

Remove tripping and slipping hazards, increase lighting, make stairs safe, install grab bars in key areas, and place bells on pet collars to help track of them around the house.

• Talk to your family members.

Enlist family support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Falls are not just a seniors’ issue.