Many older people that live alone are injured from falls. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injuries in older people, and can be the reason many retreat to a life in their lounge chairs. Other seniors lose their ability to live independently, and end up in a hospital or assisted living facility.

Studies indicate that nearly one-third of people aged 65 years and over fall more than once a year. Luckily, many of these falls do not result in life-threatening injuries, but they don't come without a price. The person can be left with bruises, sore muscles, and stiffness of joints from the impact on a hard surface.

Additionally, falls can cause more serious results, such as:

• Hip or wrist fractures

• Shoulder dislocations

• Head injuries or abrasions

• Sprains

Falls can, also, cause older people to lose their confidence about personal mobility and living independently.

Tips to Prevent Falls

Older people do not, necessarily, need to expect they will be injured by falls. Some things can be changed and improved, to reduce injuries from falls.

• Exercise can help to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Home or senior exercise classes can be valuable.

• Always wear comfortable and well fitted shoes. Shoes should provide adequate toe room, have slip-resistant soles, and provide support to the entire foot.

Safety Inside the Home:

• Don't skimp on lighting in living areas. Use bulbs that provide, at least 60 watts of more. Always use plug-in night lights, including motion sensitive lighting at stairways and in bathrooms.

• Replace carpeting if it has worn areas. Holes and frayed carpeting can cause falls.

• Clean up spills immediately.

• Install grab rails in showers, alongside tubs and commodes.

• Be sure furniture used to sit or lay on are appropriate heights to make getting up, out and into easier.

Safety Outdoors:

• Be sure walkways are smooth and even.

• Install lighting along paths

• Provide adequate lighting on porches and near steps

Personal Health:

Personal body care can help reduce falls, such as podiatry, vision, and medication maintenance.

If You Fall:

• Try not to panic. Remain still until you regain composure.

• If you can't get up, call for help.

When older people can't get up from a fall, they could be without help for hours, even days. Injuries can be permanent when needed medical help can not be obtained.

Wearable medical and emergency alarms can be a life-saver in this type of situation, they had access to a device that could have gotten quickly got the help they needed.

Medical alert alarms can call for help when you can't get to your phone. As easy as pushing the panic button on the alarm, disguised as a necklace or wristwatch, could avoid permanent and long-term injuries.

How To Get Up After Falling:

• Roll onto your stomach and try to crawl to a sturdy piece of furniture.

• Try to get up onto your knees.

• Push upwards, using your strongest leg and arm.

• Keep hold of the furniture until you can stand.

If You Can't Get Up:

• Try to crawl and get yourself on carpeting. You will need to keep your body warm.

• Call for help by using your personal alarm, if you have one.

• If you don't have an alarm, shout for help or try to bang on walls or floors to make noise. If you can, use something other than your fist to hit hard surfaces.

• If you know no one will be able to hear you, keep warm and try to get up later.

When older people know they won't be heard or can't get to their phone, they often give up. If only they had a personal alarm that would have been attached to their wrist or worn around their neck as a necklace, they would not need to wait, however long it might be, until someone comes by and finds them.

Things to Remember:

• Falls cause major injuries to older people.

• Falling can be indications of more serious health problems.

• Keep the body mobile through strength and balance exercises.

• Don't allow your home to become cluttered with things that could increase falling risks.

• Strongly consider getting a personal medical and emergency alarm.

• Choose to arm yourself with the ability to get help and continue to live an independent lifestyle. Peace of mind is well worth the small amount of cost.