Take care of your health

Managing your health can help reduce your risk of falling.

  • Have regular physical check-ups with your healthcare provider.
  • See your healthcare provider if you have any kind of symptoms …eg. dizziness, weakness.
  • Report any falls or near falls to your health care provider. Discussing your fall can help identify why you might be falling and what can be done to help you.
Vision

 Changes to your vision can affect your balance: 

  • More sensitivity to glare 

  • Harder to see where an object ends, and the background begins 

  • Extra time needed to adjust to sudden changes in light and dark 

  • Harder to judge distance and depth 

  • Watery eyes or burning/stinging dry eyes 

  • Losing your balance or getting dizzy when other people or objects are moving around you 

 What you can do 

  • Have an eye exam every year and when you notice any changes in your vision, free for adults 65+ 

  • Keep your home well lit, especially entrances and stairways 

  • Use night lights, especially in the path from the bedroom to the bathroom 

  • Give your eyes time to adjust when you move from dark to much brighter areas 

  • Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses 

  • Take breaks from looking at one thing, like a computer screen, to reduce the risk of eye strain 

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Hearing

Hearing loss can affect your balance. Here are some signs to watch for: 

  • Difficulty hearing others speak 

  • Frequently asking people to repeat themselves 

  • Frustration at not being able to hear 

  • Problems hearing in noisy areas 

  • Ringing in the ears 

 What you can do 

  • Talk to your health care provider about any changes in your hearing. 

  • Protect your ears from loud sounds 

  • Use devices that can help you communicate better, such as a hearing aid. 
Foot care

Feet that are healthy and pain-free can help you stay active and independent. 

Foot problems can cause loss of balance or make you feel unstable on your feet, putting you at risk of having a fall. 

What you can do 

  • See a health care provider about foot problems and foot pain. 

  • Check your feet for corn, open sores, redness, dry skin and thickened nails. 

  • Choose flat shoes or boots that have low, wide heels and soles that grip. 

  • Avoid walking in bare feet, stocking feet or slip-on shoes with an open heel 

  • Wear supportive shoes inside your home. 

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