Welcome Autumn! For many, autumn is the time of the year to get back into routines, set goals for the end of the year, and spend as much of the remaining beautiful days outdoors. In alignment with the first day of autumn on September 22nd, is Falls Prevention Week falling on September 18th-24th. Falls Prevention week is a nationwide campaign with efforts to raise awareness about fall prevention for the elderly. Falls present a growing risk to older adults’ health and independence. Many falls can be prevented, and professionals working in fall prevention are making headway in pinpointing and implementing measures that work. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know fall prevention begins with healthy feet, and who better to support you and your feet than a podiatrist. 

Falls among older adults are common: 

• Millions of people aged 65 and older fall each year—1 out of 3 in this age range.
• Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, causing severe injuries, such as hip fractures, head trauma, and death.
• Every 13 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall. In 2013, about 25,500 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries, 2.5 million were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal falls, and more than 734,000 were hospitalized. 

Fall Prevention Begins with Healthy Feet

• Improve your balance by wearing foot braces or custom orthotics.
• Wear shoes that keep you safe and offer you the support you need.
• Build and maintain strength in your feet.

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back from Living the Life You Want to Have

• Remove hazards from your home. Like, throw rugs, boxes, or cords. Anything that may be in the way of daily walking around your home.
• A cane or walker can help assist you with balance. Remember to use your cane on your stronger side and to bring it with you when you leave your home!
• Have a vision and hearing check-up. Problems with vision or hearing can lead to falls. Get your eyes checked at least once a year and your ears checked every other year.
• Have a podiatry check-up. Problems with your feet can also lead to falls. Visit your podiatrist at least once a year for a check-up and even more often if you have an underlying condition or have been experiencing discomfort in your feet and ankles. To schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas at our Cromwell, Connecticut office call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website.