What Do Hillary Clinton And George H. Bush Have In Common?

Falls Are More Common Than You Know

Falls happen and this week President Bush 41 took a tumble in his home and broke a bone in his neck. His recovery is expected to take three to four months. Three years ago Hillary Clinton fell in her home and sustained a concussion. Her recovery period was estimated between one to six months.

Here are the facts

• One-third of Americans age 65+ falls each year.

• Every 13 seconds, an adult age 65+ is treated in the ER for a fall

• Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury for adults age 65+

You now have the facts on how common falls are. It's time to literally take steps to reduce your risk for falls. The National Council On Aging recommends six easy ways to prevent falls.

• Find a good balance program

• Talk to your health care provider

• Review your medications with a pharmacist

• Check your vision and hearing regularly

• Keep your home safe

• Talk to your family members

Balance programs

Focus on balance when looking for a program. A Matter of Balance, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Quan. Here's a link to more information on the programs: fall prevention program.

Talk to your healthcare provider

At your next visit add "Talk to your doctor about fall prevention" to your list. Ask your healthcare provider how you can reduce your risk for falls. Physical therapy and vitamin D supplements might be what the doctor ordered.

Medication review

Always consult with your pharmacist when filling a new prescription. If you are taking existing prescriptions talk to your pharmacist when shopping for over the counter medications including; allergy, cold, and supplements. A conversation with your pharmacist can prevent drug interaction or identify potential side effects.

Vision and hearing visits

Changes in vision and hearing can happen subtly. Regular visits to your health care providers can provide you with a baseline and changes can easily be identified. Researchers found those with a mild hearing loss have a three times greater risk of falling than those with normal hearing. In research on vision impairment, poor depth perception has been linked to increased risk for falls.

Home safety

Think clutter-free, well lighted, and easily accessible. Take a look at your home with safety in mind. Are there trip hazards on the floor? Is your home well lighted in the evening? Are you over extending when reaching for items? Use your answers to take action now to prevent trips and falls. Small adjustments can repeat big safety benefits.

Family and community

Bicyclists and skateboarders wear helmets, remember falls can happen to anyone. Began the conversation with family, friends and social circles on how common are.

Judi Bonilla is a San Diego gerontologist focusing on researching, developing, and teaching creative aging programs. She’s the founder of Advocates For Aging Cares a social entrepreneurship adventure.

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