If you’re over 65, you have a high risk of falling and ending up with a fracture, in hospital and, at times with a disability. More than 25 percent of older adults fall each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury death for older adults. But, a range of tech solutions can help prevent you from falling, reports Julie Jargon for the Wall Street Journal.
To protect yourself against falls, start with having your health care provider screen you for your risk of falling. Also, understand the side of effects of the prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines you take. Then, consider these tech options:
- Wear a tracking device to help get you moving and track your cardio-fitness level. I know that my Apple Watch ensures that I stand every hour. Without it, it’s not clear when I would get up from behind my laptop. And, exercise! Even if you feel healthy, you still need to build your core and body strength.
- Track your blood pressure at least once a day to make sure it’s at a good level and isn’t changing dramatically. You want to maintain a good blood-oxygen level. If you have low blood pressure or a low blood-oxygen level, you are also at greater risk of falling because you are more likely to become dizzy.
- If you take multiple medicines, consider getting a smart pill dispenser. It will help ensure you take your medications at the right time. When you do not take them at regular intervals, it can cause dizziness and make you more prone to falls.
- Track your walking-steadiness. If you don’t have a tracking device, your iPhone can track your walking-steadiness. If it’s low or very low, you are at higher risk of falling. You want your walking steadiness to be OK.
- Make sure that you have good lighting if you wake up in the middle of the night and get out of bed. You can buy inexpensive motion-activated lights that turn on when you move at night.
- Get a doorbell camera so you know who’s at the door and you don’t feel the need to rush to answer it. Some of the camera devices also allow you to talk to the person at the door. Whatever you do, take your time getting to the door when the doorbell rings.
- Get water-leak sensors to help you avoid slipping on a wet floor. Some home owner policies offer lower premiums to people with these sensors, helping to offset their cost.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- How to prevent falls and their sometimes horrific consequences
- Falls are primary cause of harm and death for people over 65
- New research finds link between drinking alcohol and cancer
- Cool tech for the older set
- An ancient trick to help your recall
