Protect against falls
Stay active. Stay independent. Stay safe.
Sanford Health offers resources, programs and events to help protect individuals against falls.
A simple fall, like tripping on a rug or slipping on ice, can lead to serious injury and change your life. But falls are not a normal part of aging, and many can be prevented.
Why falls happen in older adults
Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults age 65 and older. More than 1 in 4 Americans in this age group falls every year.
However, many falls can be prevented. For example, exercising, reviewing your medications, having your vision checked and making your home safer can help reduce your risk.
Key factors that increase fall risk
The risk of falling increases with age, often due to:
- Balance issues
- Medical conditions, such as heart or foot problems
- Medications that cause sleepiness, dizziness or confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Vision or hearing changes
Common causes of falls
Many falls are linked to everyday hazards, including:
- Household clutter, such as throw rugs and other items on the ground
- Poor lighting in rooms and stairways
- Missing safety features, such as railings on stairs
- Unsafe footwear, such as shoes with slippery soles
Other common reasons for falls include:
- Medications that affect balance or coordination and cause dizziness, such as sedatives, blood pressure medications and antidepressants
- Vision problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma
- Muscle weakness, particularly in the legs
Attend a falls prevention course. Find a class near you.
Simple steps to lower your fall risk
By taking care of your overall health and taking precautions in your home, you may have a lower chance of falling. Try these tips to help lessen your risk of falls and fall-related injuries:
- Stay physically active. Regular exercise improves muscle strength. Exercise also helps keep your joints, tendons and ligaments flexible.
- Build balance and strength. Activities like yoga or Pilates can help improve balance and muscle strength. Lifting weights or using resistance bands also helps to build strength.
- Make your home safer. Remove fall hazards, improve poor lighting and install safety features. Review these tips to improve the safety of every space in your home.
- Get your vision and hearing checked. Changes can cause an increased risk for falls.
- Use extra caution when walking on wet or icy surfaces. Wear supportive, non-slip footwear.
- Review your medications. If a prescription makes you feel sleepy or dizzy, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
- Talk to your provider. Talk openly with your healthcare provider about fall risks and prevention.
Build strength and balance to prevent falls
Sanford Health offers a variety of services, classes and events to community members to manage falls and improve their quality of life.
A Matter of Balance
The program, A Matter of Balance, helps individuals manage falls and increase activity levels.
This program focuses on practical strategies to manage falls and participants learn to:
- View falls as controllable
- Set goals to increase activity
- Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
- Improve strength and balance through exercise
Classes run weekly for eight sessions and are two hours each.
Learn more about A Matter of Balance or find an upcoming class.
Bingocize
Bingocize combines the game of bingo with fall prevention exercise.
While playing bingo, participants:
- Improve or maintain mobility and balance
- Learn fall prevention tips
- Enjoy social interaction
The program is a one-hour session and is offered twice weekly for 10 weeks.
Find a Bingocize class near you.
Fall screening assessment
Our fall screening events allow individuals to meet with specially trained nurses to receive a personalized screening and fall prevention recommendations.
During the screening, you’ll:
- Sit, stand, walk and return to sitting
- Have your gait, balance and strength evaluated
- Learn your fall risk status and review how to stay steady on your feet
Sanford Empowered
Sanford Empowered is a personalized, in-home safety program. It includes a home assessment, recommendations to improve home safety and access to additional services including pharmacists and an RN case manager.
For more information, talk to your primary care provider.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a strength, balance and fitness class designed for adults 65 and older.
While meeting new people in a supportive setting, participants:
- Improve balance and mobility
- Reduce their fall risk
- Improve their quality of life
This 12-week program meets twice weekly for one hour.
Learn more
Support is available to reduce your fall risk
Your primary care provider is here to support you in every area of your health. Talk openly with them about fall risks and prevention.
Tell a provider right away if you fall, worry about falling or feel unsteady.
Your provider may review:
- Fall history. Discuss instances when, where and how you fell, or times you almost fell.
- Health changes or concerns. Vision and hearing changes or concerns may increase your risk of falls. Your provider also may evaluate your muscle strength, balance and walking style.
- Medications. Make a list of your prescription and nonprescription medications and supplements, or bring them with you. Your primary care provider can review them for side effects that may increase your risk of falling.
Talk with your primary care provider today if you have concerns about falls, or find a provider to start the conversation.
Additional falls prevention resources
A Matter of Balance: What goes into fall prevention?
Reduce the risk of falling with strength and mobility
