Falls Prevention Awareness Week Day-by-Day

Falls Prevention Awareness Week is
September 19-24
Falling and possibly getting hurt isn’t something
that has to happen to you. Check out these
easy steps to stay strong, active, and standing!
Monday: This is the first day of Falls Prevention
Awareness Week. Tell your neighbors, friends, and family
about it!
Tuesday: Answer a few quick questions to see if you are
at risk for a fall:
Do you sometimes feel dizzy for a few seconds Yes No
after you stand up?
Is your prescription for your glasses up-todate?
Yes No
Do you have a light to help you see when you Yes No
get up at night to use the bathroom?
Do you take four or more medications? Yes No
Do you worry about falling? Yes No
If you answered yes to two or more of the questions,
make a note to talk to your doctor about falls.
For today: you can do things right now to stop a fall by
following the tips on this sheet to keep yourself safe.

Wednesday: Take all of your medications out and look to
see if they are expired. Get rid of any medicine that is out
of date.
Don’t flush medicine down the toilet!
Put all your old medicines (including liquids) in
something you can throw out, like a margarine tub or
plastic bag with a zipper top that will stay closed.
Mix the old medicine up with used kitty litter or coffee
grounds—the idea is to use something nobody wants to
get into.
Seal the container and throw it in the trash.
Next time you visit your doctor or pharmacist, ask him
or her to review your medications. Some medicines can
make you sleepy or dizzy, putting you at risk of falling.
Thursday: Get a little exercise! Try standing on one foot
for the count of 10 and then switching to the other foot.
Stand near a wall for some support in case you need it.
Friday: TGIF! The only thing to do today is clean
your glasses. Now do you see how easy preventing
falls can be?
Saturday: Today it’s all about home safety. Look around
your home and see if there are things that could trip you
up. Remove any small rugs or clutter that could cause a
fall.
Thanks for taking action to prevent falls this week
and every week! Together we can stay strong, active,
and standing!