Falls Prevention

There are a number of activities that can be done to avoid falls. There are seven main steps that you can take:

• get regular exercise, such as walking for at least ten minutes every day
• eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet, with plenty of calcium
• get your general practitioner to review all the medicines you are taking. Make sure you include the medicines you buy over the counter, such as pain killers, vitamins and herbal remedies.
• see your general practitioner for a check-up if you feel dizzy or unsteady on your feet when you stand up or walk.
• get your eyes checked if you have trouble seeing things or if you have other problems with your eyes.
• make sure your home and surroundings are safe. Try and remove or fix things that might cause you to trip or slip over.
• wear well fitting shoes with low heels and non-slip soles.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing runs a Falls Prevention program with various projects aimed at older people.

NSW Health has a useful website for information on preventing falls and the seven steps.

Visit the Better Health Channel section on Falls, put together by the Victorian State Government.