Did you know that falls are the leading factor behind fatal and non-fatal injuries among senior citizens? At Joseph Stuto, DPM, we want to make sure that our senior patients and your elderly loved ones are safe from trips and falls.

It’s a good idea to talk to your loved ones about the high risk of falls.

Here are a few ideas to help them prevent trips and falls:

• Communicate: Your loved ones need to understand that a lifetime of wear and tear of the feet will require extra care and caution at this stage of their lives. Understand they may feel as though their independence may be lost, and reluctant to discuss with family. Let them know how important their presence is in your life which is why they need to take good care of themselves and especially their feet to avoid falls.
• Observe: Keep a lookout for any signs of difficulty in walking or standing in your elderly relatives. They may hold on to furniture, walls or look for support to maintain their balance. Ask them if they feel any discomfort or pain. Get their feet examined by your podiatrist regularly to identify any changes that require immediate attention.
• Exercise precaution: Look around the house and identify any tripping hazards like runners and carpets, wires and chargers, etc. Remove these hazards so that walking is easier as areas become more spacious. Install hand support railings if required.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle: As bones lose their strength, they require adequate amounts of calcium to prevent further deterioration. A healthy diet that includes leafy greens, nuts and seeds, lentils and beans, will provide a substantial source of calcium. Add light exercise, like walking, so that your muscles and bones remain strong and flexible.
• Act: Using customized orthotics make walking more comfortable and stable. They also provide support to the heels and arches, thereby reducing pain and discomfort. Consult a podiatrist to help you identify the fall-risk factors and assist in measures to achieve the best outcomes for all your foot and ankle problems.

We encourage you to consult our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Joseph Stuto, for you and your older loved one’s foot problems. Visit us at our offices located in Brooklyn Heights (718) 624-7537 and Brooklyn (718) 567-1403, New York for guidance on foot health, or call us to schedule a convenient appointment.