Did you know that according to the CDC falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among those over 65 in the United States?! In 2015, Medicare spent over $50 billion in fall-related medical expenses. I could not find recent statistics on fall related expenses, but I imagine they are now close to double what it was in 2015. Wowza.
Even young people are affected by falls, with 2.8 million individuals between 18 and 64 years old seeking treatment for fall injuries in 2019.
What can WE do about this so that we do not become a grim statistic? To address this issue, we need to understand the three predictors of falls. The are as follows:
1. The fear of falling,
2. Taking three or more medications (including over-the-counter medications), and
3. Having a history of falls.
To tackle the fear of falling we need to improve our balance. Follow along in this video (and share the video too!) to engage in three Tai Chi-based exercises which are effective in gradually building your balance:
Ankle rolls
Toe Touch front and back
Kick the Imaginary Ball
Let's work together to reduce the risk of falls and stay healthy and active!
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