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Cromwell, CT 06416

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 05, 2019
Category: fall prevention
Tags: shoes   senior   fall   vision  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we serve patients of all ages. For our senior patients, falls are a big concern. In fact, studies show that falls are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans. The good news is that there is much that can be done to reduce fall risk.

Pain-Free Feet Reduce Risk

If you or an older person you love is suffering from foot or ankle pain, fall risk is increased. It’s natural to walk in a way that is least painful but that can change your center of gravity and create an awkward gait that can lead to trips and falls. Don’t delay in getting podiatric pain evaluated. Contact our Cromwell office for an appointment and let our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas examine your feet and find the cause and treatment for your foot discomfort.

Home Safety Makeovers

An honest inspection of your home can reveal areas where improvements can be made to help you avoid falls. These include:

  • Adding lighting in dark places in rooms, halls, stairways. Make sure your outdoor lighting is also adequate around the entrance of your home.
  • Install grab bars and handrails in the bathroom around the toilet and shower. Make sure stairways have a railing on both sides.
  • Remove clutter on the floors. This includes stacks of magazines and papers, footstools, plants, etc.
  • Inspect the floors. Get rid of throw rugs. Nail down carpet corners that are sticking up. Make sure computer and electrical cords don’t go across a pathway.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Getting regular exercise helps strengthen your lower body and maintain flexibility in your feet. Look for exercise activities and classes that are designed to increase balance. Other ways that taking care of your health can help prevent falls include:

  • Get your eyes checked regularly. A decrease in vision may require a change in your eyeglass prescription to ensure you can see and accurately judge depth of field and see objects in your path.
  • Review your medications at least annually with your physician or pharmacist. Some medications or combination of drugs can cause you to feel dizzy, which increases the risk of falling.

If you are a senior patient and want help assessing your fall risk, contact us today.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
May 22, 2019
Category: fall prevention

In May we celebrate Older Americans Month. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, one of our goals is to educate our patients about the best ways to be proactive about their podiatric health. For senior patients, falls are a problem that can cause debilitating injuries like fractures and ankle sprains to the feet (or the rest of your body). You may be shocked to learn that every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall. Below are some fall risks you may have never thought about.

Foot Pain that’s Untreated—when your feet or ankles hurt, it can cause you to alter the way you walk to avoid the pain. This can throw you off balance and cause a trip or fall. This is why it’s essential that you don’t put off seeking treatment for foot pain or other symptoms like stiffness or numbness. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your lower extremities, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can diagnose your problem and prescribe the correct treatment.

Medication Changes—certain drugs or combinations of drugs can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. It’s a good idea to periodically review the complete list of medications you are taking with the pharmacist or doctor to find out if there are any negative interactions or side effects that could lead to a fall.

Neglecting Eye and Ear Checkups—poor vision or hearing loss will definitely contribute to your ability to navigate your environment safely. Follow your doctor’s recommended schedule of checkups and update prescriptions for glasses and/or hearing aids promptly.

Lack of Exercise—the less active you become, the more likely that joints will stiffen and range of motion in your knees and feet will decrease. This can cause you to stumble. In addition to your regular exercise regimen, consider a class that specifically focuses on building balance to further reduce your risk of falls.

Inadequate Lighting—stairways that are dim or hallways you need to use at night to get to the bathroom should all be properly lit so that you can see clearly – even at night.

Worn Out Shoes—shoes that are stretched out or have holes or worn treads can be a tripping hazard. Toss shoes when they no longer fit properly.

Preventing falls is just one way to protect your foot health. If you have questions about other foot care issues, contact us today.

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162 West St Ste K
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