Fall Prevention: Lifestyle Factors and Fall Risk¹

Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan ²

There are many things that may cause you to fall, and you can change several of these. Here are some easy changes you can make to decrease your risk of falling.

Choose Your Shoes

Some types of shoes make you more likely to fall. To reduce your risk of falling, avoid

walking barefoot,
wearing high heels, and
wearing shoes with slippery soles.

On the other hand, wearing shoes with high collars (high-tops) may improve your balance.

Stay Active!

This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself! Not only does regular activity help keep you healthy, it also can reduce your risk of falls. Physical activity can improve your strength, balance, and gait (the way you walk). Walking, swimming, dancing, and gardening are great ways to stay active. Just move your body and have fun!

Limit or Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol makes you less alert. It can also affect your coordination. If you drink alcohol, you may be more likely to fall. It's best to avoid alcohol or limit yourself to one drink per day.

One drink is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1½ ounces of liquor.

Review Your Medications

Taking some types of medications may make you more likely to fall. You also may be more likely to fall if you take four or more medications each day. Review your medications with your healthcare provider regularly. Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you experience dizziness or other symptoms.

Footnotes

La versión en español de este documento es Prevención de Caídas: Estilos de Vida y Riesgo de Caídas (FCS2230Span)

This document is FCS2230, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published: October 2004. Revised: April 2009.

Linda B. Bobroff, PhD, RD, LD/N, professor and Jennifer Hillan, MSH, RD, LD/N, former educator/trainer, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; University of Florida; Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.