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Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for category: fall prevention

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
September 21, 2021
Category: fall prevention

Did you know over half of all senior accidental falls happen at home? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we recognize Falls Prevention Week every year during September. A fall can have a devasting effect on the life of an older person. Not only are falls the number one cause of non-fatal injuries, but they can also leave a lasting sense of fear that can hinder living a more full and active life. We offer the following tips for helping to make homes safer for our senior Middlesex County patients and the people who love them. Ask a family member or friend to do a walk-through of your home with you and make a note of areas where safety upgrades are needed.

Start at the Front Door

Lowering fall risk begins before you even get inside. Take a look at the steps or walkway that lead up to your house. Are there cracks or broken pieces of pavement that might be a tripping hazard? Is the lighting adequate? Make sure the path into your home is well lit and clear of debris.

Scan the Floors

One of the major causes of falls at home is tripping over things. Trace the path you walk daily in your house, from when you get up until you go to bed. Look for dangers to remove include:

  • Electrical cords stretched across walkways
  • Throw rugs
  • Piles of magazines or clutter
  • Short plant stands
  • Footstools

Secure Stairways

Install a second handrail on all staircases for better balance and stability. You can then hold on to both sides when going up or down. Add more lighting in dim stairwells. If the treads have carpeting, make sure there are no holes or snags to catch your foot on.

Beef Up Bathroom Safety

The bathroom can be a landmine for slip and fall accidents. Install grab bars around the toilet. Add no-slip grip strips to the floor of the shower. If you are unsteady on your feet, consider adding a specialized chair to your shower area. Tub-shower combinations may not be the best choice if lifting your leg is difficult.

Taking care of foot and ankle pain promptly is a critical step in decreasing your chances of falling. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can also help assess your risk of accidental falls and prescribe helpful devices like braces, canes, etc., to increase your stability. Make your appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to learn more.

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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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