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Why do seniors fall?

The No. 1 cause of senior stumbles? Loss of balance.

About 41 percent of falls occurred when a movement unexpectedly shifted a senior’s center of gravity, causing them to lose their stability and topple over.

Trips and stumbles accounted for 21 percent of tumbles, while slips (i.e. in the bathtub) only caused 3 percent of senior spills.

Most falls happened when a senior was doing one of three activities: walking forward (24 percent), standing (13 percent) or sitting (12 percent).

Falling poses a significant threat to a senior’s health.

Among the aging population, falls are the primary cause of hospitalization and death from an injury. About one out of every three elders takes a tumble each year.

There are some steps you can take to keep your loved one steady on their feet.

• Encourage physical activity.

• Get their medications checked.

• Remove obstacles.

• Encourage mobility devices.

Fore more information on evidence-based fall prevention programs offered through Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging, contact Amber Snyder at 800-243-0678.

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