A simple trip to your doctor can help you avoid a nasty trip-up

Did you know:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007 there were nearly 9 million ER visits for falls, and close to a million of these resulted in hospital admissions.

You can minimize your risk of falling simply by staying up-to-date with your overall health and vision. On  your next visit to your primary care doctor or specialist, ask him or her to:

• Check for these indications that you might be heading for a fall: change in walking ability; favoring one foot over the other; or inability to walk a straight line.

• Assess your bone and muscle strength to make sure you have what it takes to avoid a fall or a nasty outcome if you do fall.

• Discuss nutrition, including benefits of vitamin supplements or nutritional changes.

• Suggest an exercise program that might be right for you.

• Evaluate prescription dosages to make sure that too-large or too-small doses don't make you dizzy, jittery or weak and lead to a fall.

On your next visit to your optometrist or ophthalmologist, ask him or her to:

• Check your vision and correct even minor changes in depth perception or acuity to make sure you don't miss a step.

With a little research and healthier choices, you can prevent a fall that may limit your mobility and independence. You can visit mmlearn.org to view a video Falls: A New Look At A Difficult Problem.

What if you have fallen? Then we're here to help you get back on your feet. Morningside Ministries offers rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Call 888-806-5004 to get more information about our services.