September is National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, focusing on a topic that is a continuing concern for physicians and patients, particularly older ones. Consider the following data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
- Every second of every day, an adult aged 65 and older suffers a fall in the U.S.—making falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in that age group.
- About 36 million falls are reported among older adults each year, resulting in more than 30,000 deaths.
- Every year, over 3 million older adults are treated in the nation’s emergency departments for a fall-related injury.
Risk factors for causing a fall are varied and include such issues as:
- Lower body weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Walking and balance difficulties
- Use of certain medicines
- Vision problems
- Home hazards or dangers such as broken or uneven stairs, throw rugs, or clutter that can be tripped over.
In my professional role as a podiatrist, I am always concerned about patients wearing proper footwear. Inappropriate or poorly fitting shoes can affect stability and increase the likelihood of falls. Shoes linked to an increased risk of falling include:
- Those with inadequate fixation (no laces, straps, or buckles)
- Heels that are higher than 1 inch (about 2.5 centimeters) and/or are less than 20% width of your own heel
- Loose or tight-fitting shoes
- A reduced contact area of the sole and smooth tread. Instead, consider shoes featuring a more secure way to stay on your foot, such as shoelaces or Velcro, instead of slip-ons; feature thin, hard soles that prevent slipping; and include a supported heel collar, which grips your heel more firmly.
It is important to check your shoes every 3 months for excessive wear. If the treads are smooth, the sole is cracked or has a hole, the shoe is loose, or the lining is torn, it is time for a new pair of shoes.
Tips for Putting On and Taking Off Shoes
If you have a hard time putting on or taking off your shoes, try the following tips to help:
- Use a shoehorn with a long handle to help you put on shoes if you cannot comfortably reach down to your feet.
- Use elastic, “stretchy” shoelaces that let you slip your shoes on and off, so you do not have to tie and untie them.
- Wear shoes with Velcro, which is easier to tighten around your foot than shoelaces are.
Regarding potential tripping hazards at home, try to address any uneven flooring, and keep floors clear of wires, loose rugs, and other clutter. Plenty of lighting can also help, as will the installation of bars or railings on stairs and in bathtubs/showers. You can also add a firm pillow to a low chair and consider using a rolling cart for objects that you use frequently in a given room. Be sure you know where your pets are before walking into or around a room!
It is also recommended to see a podiatrist once a year for a foot examination and to have your shoes evaluated.
Additional information and recommendations can be found here.
Let us all make every effort to avoid falls – both this month and the whole year round.
Dr. Michelle Castiello is a podiatrist at Scarsdale Medical Group, seeing patients at 600 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 102 in Harrison. To make an appointment, call 914-723-8100.