Falls and Older Adults

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How common are falls among older people?
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2. Why do people fall?
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3. What personal factors can lead to falls?
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4. What environmental factors can lead to falls?
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5. How do falls affect people?
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6. How common are hip fractures, and what problems do they cause?
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7. What is osteoporosis and who gets it?
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8. How do I know if I have osteoporosis?
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9. How can I improve my bone health?
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10. How much calcium and vitamin D do I need to keep my bones strong?
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11. Can medications increase my risk of falling?
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12. Should I talk with my doctor about changing my medications to help prevent falls?
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13. Does physical activity increase my risk of falls?
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14. How does exercise help prevent falls?
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15. Does physical activity help prevent fractures?
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16. What is Tai Chi and how can it help prevent falls?
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17. Where can I learn more about exercise and older adults?
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18. Can vision problems lead to falls?
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19. What can I do to prevent vision-related falls?
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20. What kind of footwear should I wear to help prevent falls?
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21. Where do most falls happen?
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22. What can I do to prevent falls at home?
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23. Can better lighting help prevent falls?
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24. What can I do to prevent falls outdoors?
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25. Should I use a cane to avoid falls?
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26. If I need a cane, what size should I have?
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27. Should I use a walker to prevent falls?
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28. How can I choose the right kind of walker if I need one?
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29. What should I do if I fall?
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30. Should I tell my doctor if I fall?
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31. How can I cope with my fear of falling?
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32. Why do I sometimes feel dizzy when I stand up?
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33. Should I get a personal emergency response system?
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34. Where can I learn more about preventing falls?
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