Be proactive when it comes to preventing falls

The season will soon be getting colder and bring with it wintery weather. One slip of the foot could be disastrous for anyone, at any age. Of course, the likelihood of falls and breaking a bone from a fall increases with age, no matter what the weather is like.

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reports that one in three adults ages 65 and older fall each year. Not everything is controllable; however, a proactive approach to health and physical activity can reduce the risks of accident and injury, including falls that can cause a loss of mobility and independence.

The natural aging process -- changes in vision, slower reaction time, loss of muscle tone, coordination or flexibility and bones that become more brittle with each year -- can make older adults more vulnerable to falls than the general population.

The following are some tips to prevent falling provided by the National Institute of Health and K-State Research and Extension Adult Development and Aging Specialist Dr. Debra Sellers.

Outdoor Safety

* Wear shoes with rubber soles for added traction.

* Stop at curbs and check their height before stepping up or down.

* In poor weather, if you must get out, use a walker or cane for added stability.

Indoor Safety

*Make changes in your home. Eliminate clutter, remove throw rugs, install grab bars near the toilet and bathtub, use night lights and think about installing a bedside phone.