By Alison Stanton

According to the CDC, every year, one out of four adults over the age of 65 will fall. 
While this statistic shows that older adults tend to fall more often, Rhonda Zonoozi insists that we should never accept falling as a normal part of aging. Many falls can be prevented, says the exercise physiologist and health coach for the Sun Health Center for Health & Wellbeing.
Throw rugs, poor lighting or a lack of grab bars in bathrooms are among the most common causes for falls in the home.
“The good news is that these are all easily modifiable,” Rhonda says.

Tips to prevent falling

“Inactivity increases your risk of falling, so one of the biggest things older adults can do is to get active,” Rhonda says, adding that walking is a great place to start.
Lower body exercises that increase strength and improve balance are also useful, she adds.

What to do in the case of a fall

When somebody falls, Rhonda says they should focus on their breathing, take their time in getting up and remain as calm as possible while scanning their body for injuries.
“If they feel like they have broken a hip or shoulder they should call 911 for help and not try to get up on their own.”
Learn more at the Stand Up To Falling Down event (see box on this page).
The Sun Health Center for Health & Wellbeing offers a Fall Avoidance Review (FAR), which is a 30- to 45-minute assessment.
The Center also will offer classes in October related to balance and fall prevention.
For more information, visit sunhealthwellbeing.org/fallprevention-and-balance.