August 18th, 2020

Stay on your feet - Be aware of your feet!

Falling can be a big issue as we age.  Once we’ve fallen a couple of times we start to fear falling and begin to do less and less exercise. Reducing our exercise means we loss muscle strength and our sense of balance making us more likely to trip and fall. If we want to stay on our feet there are a number of things we can do.  We can:

• Exercise to improve our muscle strength
• Check our eyesight and glasses regularly 
• Review our medication with our doctors to ensure the drugs we’re on don’t contribute to falls
• Remove trip hazards like loose mats
• Install night lights and grab rails in your bathroom and by stairs
• Ensure shoes and slippers fit well
• Place frequently used objects within easy reach.
• Know how to get up from the floor 

These are just a few things, there are many more.  For instance being aware of how you walk and step.
 
Like all things, as we age, we can forget to lift our toes while walking, which may cause us to trip more easily.  Follow the instructions below and improve your step and reduce the likelihood of tripping.

The ankle/foot movements we do help to strengthen the toe–lifting muscles. 
 
You can work these muscles all day.
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It’s simple! Just exaggerate your normal walking pattern - Heel/Toe
 
Say ‘heel toe’ to yourself

• if the footpath is rough
• when you feel rushed/unsure
• when you go from room to room

and  

• from street to street
• everywhere you go!

 
Get the rhythm! Don’t trip!

MAKE IT A HABIT  

Compiled for you by the Physiotherapists at Therapy Professionals Ltd. 

If you need some help to stay on your feet Therapy Professionals friendly Physiotherapists can help, just contact us on:

Phone:            (03) 377 5280 Fax: (03) 377 5281
Email:             admin@tpl.nz
Website:         www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz
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