Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors in BC. They are unintended events that can be caused by poor balance, tripping, or weakness resulting in a person ending up on the ground experiencing potential injury.
Tips & Links
- You may be at greater risk for tripping and/or falling if you have had a change in your health, medications, environment, or if you are experiencing dizziness.
- Ensure your home is safe, especially if you have been in hospital, had an accident, or an injury. Complete your own home safety checklist from the government of Canada.
- Ask your care partners and caregivers to learn with you about fall prevention from Healthlink BC.
- Seek out physical assessments for any changes in your mobility or risk for falling by your physician or physiotherapist.
- Engage in regular (daily) physical activity to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. This can include activities like walking, swimming, weightlifting, stretching, yoga, or tai chi.
- Explore Ability 411 for recommendations about mobility aids/devices, how to source them, supports for financial assistance across Canada.
- If you are at risk for falls, there are services available that alert others in case you fall or are unwell. Check out Lifeline or Living Well Companion.
- Learn how to ask for a home safety assessment if falls or tripping are of concern to you or your care partners.
- Complete and talk with your family and care partners about the activities Changes in My Personal Needs and Getting a Home Care or Safety Assessment in the section My Place to Call Home in your Mywell Health planner.
Tools – Handouts & Videos
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