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Share your tips for avoiding trips and falls as you get older - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

(237 Posts)
JustineBGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 13-Dec-16 11:19:05

Have you found that it’s easier to lose your balance as you get older? If you have, do you find yourself being more cautious or taking precautions to avoid trips or falls? Maybe you’re more choosy about your footwear, or take more care when you’re climbing stairs? BMI Healthcare would like to hear about the tips you have for avoiding trips and falls as you get older.

Here’s what BMI Healthcare have to say: “We often create leaflets and information to give out to our orthopaedic and physiotherapy patients and to publish on the web for everyone to read. Often it can be quite generic and not really relevant to most activities that people do. We'd really like to understand how joint and bone pain affects your everyday life, especially if it puts you off balance and if you feel more unsteady on your feet. From what we learn, we can continue to tailor our information to make it more useful for everyone. Thank you for your help. You can view some of the information we already have available here.”

All those who leave a comment below sharing a tip will be entered into a prize draw where one GNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

GNHQ

angelabbie Sun 25-Dec-16 18:30:27

I think we need to slow down, take our time and think about what you are doing.

renaplumridge Sun 25-Dec-16 18:25:45

Laminate flooring no rugs

kamoc Sun 25-Dec-16 17:56:54

I would suggest doing things in the daytime as much as possible rather than trying to manage around the house in the evening

smoran37 Sun 25-Dec-16 13:12:09

Sensible shoes. I've decided it's safety over style so flat shoes with good straps. No more flip flops.

grannybiker Sun 25-Dec-16 11:24:52

Keeping stairs and walkways clear of muddles! Should be easier now the children have grown and flown, but no, we went and got a dog!!

emmal01 Sat 24-Dec-16 23:04:23

Take care on slippy surfaces, especially ice & stick to flat shoes

Humph Sat 24-Dec-16 22:22:26

Make sure you only do one thing at a time. Finish an action before you start a new one

Clairemike Sat 24-Dec-16 21:38:41

Good shoes with support and just go slowly

pennwood Sat 24-Dec-16 21:37:08

Try to exercise daily to keep mobility, & even steady walking helps lift the mood too.
Wear sensible shoes fastened up properly.
Never have rugs as they are a trip hazard.
Use a bath safety mat, inside, & for stepping out on.
Take your time whatever you are doing.
Invest in aids.
Be especially careful if you are gardening, & try to have raised beds.

Cailin7 Sat 24-Dec-16 21:19:17

we are more cautious when out walking the dog in winter and slipping on ice. It does not keep us in though just take a bit more care especially at night and good walking boots.

Funkyferret Sat 24-Dec-16 21:18:26

I have v dodgy knees that mean the slightest knock will make me lose my balance and I'll stumble. It's embarrassing if I'm in public because I'm sure people think I've had a liquid lunch! Because of that I avoid supermarkets, shopping centres, etc at the busiest times. Which is a much nicer experience anyway!

glennamy Sat 24-Dec-16 20:57:54

I've started walking with a stick which is great for balance! smile

spottypjs Sat 24-Dec-16 20:06:50

Try to walk arm in arm with someone else - works well for me

alabaster Sat 24-Dec-16 19:18:07

Keep active as you age. Walking strengthens the leg muscles which aids balance.

angela121262 Sat 24-Dec-16 19:02:19

When using stairs always hold the hand rails, be careful of steps and buy appropriate foot ware

busybee6969 Sat 24-Dec-16 18:50:57

leave nothing on the stairs.shut kitchen cupboard doors straight away,wipe any spills on floor right away,dont have too long trousers/pjs trip hazard.put things away dont leave things on the floor.

jdixon1 Sat 24-Dec-16 18:12:24

Watch where you put things ! - I put the bin lid on some laminate and didn't see it, skidded across the kitchen and broke my leg !

Always very careful now grin)

Flowerpower22 Sat 24-Dec-16 17:37:12

It is really important to maintain strength in your arms and legs so that you have a good sense of balance as you get older. I am 55 and have been doing yoga for 25 years - I swear by it for keeping me strong.

Hannahpp Sat 24-Dec-16 16:45:55

I find that I have to concentrate more on the job in hand to avoid mishaps as this avoids a lot of potential trips,
Sensible shoes have become a must and using handrails where available smile

beckyinman Sat 24-Dec-16 16:02:00

Socks with rubber on the bottom so I don't slip on the laminate flooring

dogsmother Sat 24-Dec-16 15:29:55

Good lighting, well fitting shoes or slippers. Heels or not.
Keep fit to and walk as much as you can to keep fit and take the stairs as often as you can ?

sophie56 Sat 24-Dec-16 15:19:01

Make sure all footwear fits properly. Keep the floors clear of clutter. Put the lights on when the light is low. Do balance exercises and try to keep generally flexible.

devito92 Sat 24-Dec-16 15:02:36

get help to do things that you're unable to do safely on your own

sallyh Sat 24-Dec-16 14:56:46

Wear comfy flat shoes.

feefeegabor Sat 24-Dec-16 14:34:37

I always wear flat shoes which grip and, to be honest, I hang off of my daughter's arm most of the time!