Falls by senior citizens can have a devastating impact on their health. According to healthaging.org, 20 percent of people who break their hip from a fall die within one year of the injury. There are also more than 5,000 fall-related deaths each year.

Kimberly Haydt of Liberty HomeCare & Hospice Services says those statistics show the importance of teaching fall prevention and learning ways to keep seniors healthier.

“It’s important for them to do the exercises that they have learned from medical personnel, and make sure their home is safe,” Haydt said.

Sometimes one of the most important steps is getting seniors to agree to treatment in the first place.

“I get referrals all the time where they think they don’t need you,” Haydt said. “The family really has to step up in that case. It is a really good idea for families to get educated about fall prevention and how to keep a home safe.”

National statistics show that only one half of all caregivers have talked with their loved ones about fall prevention. Haydt said there are many ways that caregivers can be educated about fall prevention, from research online to participating in seminars such as a Fall Prevention event she is helping to host in Matthews, NC September 21st.

Haydt said that anyone over the age of 65, and particularly women, are more prone to falls. She said that seniors and their caregivers can use several measures, including using good lighting, not having loose rugs on the floor, and using grab bars in the shower and toilet.

Haydt said that 30 minutes of exercise a day is also ideal, but any kind of exercise will be beneficial. She said those exercises can be performed standing up or even sitting down to help strengthen proper muscles to maintain balance.

“You have to look at ways to change their fears,” Haydt said. “If they are afraid to go outside, get them a walker or scooter or even have them walk with a friend. Everyone has their own fears, but if you talk about it you help overcome it.”