Tips To Protect Your Vision and Reduce Risks For Fall Occurrences

March is Save Your Vision Month which is a time to focus on the importance of eye health and the role it plays in our overall well-being. As we age, our eyesight can deteriorate, making it more difficult to navigate our surroundings and increasing the risk of falls. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalization among seniors, and poor vision is a significant contributing factor.

At Source of Life Technologies | Mat of Life we are dedicated to bringing peace of mind to the care community and aging individuals.

The link between vision and falls:

As we age, our eyes undergo natural changes that can impact our vision. These changes can include reduced visual acuity, decreased contrast sensitivity, and impaired depth perception. Additionally, age-related eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can further impact vision. Discuss any vision changes with your physician and caregivers.

When vision is impaired, navigating the environment becomes more difficult, increasing the risk of falls. Older adults with poor vision may struggle to detect obstacles in their path, judge distances, and perceive changes in elevation. This can lead to trips and falls, which can result in serious injuries such as hip fractures and head injuries.

The importance of eye care

Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision and reducing the risk of falls. Eye exams can detect age-related eye diseases and other conditions that can impact vision, allowing for early intervention and treatment. Additionally, prescription glasses and contact lenses can improve visual acuity and reduce the risk of falls.

In addition to regular eye exams, there are several other steps seniors can take to protect their vision and reduce the risk of falls. These include:

• Staying active: Regular exercise can improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength, reducing the risk of falls.

• Removing tripping hazards: Seniors should remove or secure any items that could cause tripping, such as loose rugs or electrical cords.

• Improving lighting: Adequate lighting is essential for seniors with impaired vision. Installing brighter light bulbs, adding task lighting, automating lighting, and removing glare can all improve visibility.

• Wearing appropriate footwear: Seniors should wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles to reduce the risk of falls.
• Include remote monitoring, such as the Mat of Life, to monitor getting up and down habits as well as receive alerts via SMS messaging. The Mat of Life brings all caregivers together in fall prevention strategy while promoting independence and privacy. 

Good vision is essential for maintaining independence and reducing the risk of falls among seniors. Regular eye exams and other preventative measures can help seniors protect their vision and stay safe in their homes. If you or a loved one is due for an eye exam, contact your eye care provider today to schedule an appointment. Let's use Save Your Vision Month as a reminder to prioritize our eye health and overall wellbeing.

Falls in the senior community are far too common, costly, and preventable. Senior care fall strategies shouldn’t be reactive - they should be proactive. Just imagine if you could monitor, track, and address patient needs BEFORE a fall happens. This type of fall prevention initiative is available with Source of Life Technologies - Mat of Life - your modern fall prevention solution. You can learn more about Mat of Life here.