You Can Prevent Falls : A Safety Guide for Older Adults

Avoid falls and stay independent with this practical guide to prevention. Falls—which can lead to sudden injury, long-term health issues, and even death—are often treated as an unavoidable part of growing older. In You Can Prevent Falls, Dr. Ellen D. Sogolow brings decades of public health expertise to a practical guide that helps older adults understand why falls happen and what they can do to avoid them, improving health, confidence, and independence for years to come. Drawing on research, community-based prevention programs, and lessons learned throughout her career in injury prevention, Dr. Sogolow explains how physical health, fitness, daily routines, home environments, outdoor environments, and social and emotional factors all contribute to fall risk. She shows readers how to recognize warning signs, assess their own vulnerabilities, and make meaningful changes before a fall occurs. Rather than focusing on a single solution, she presents a comprehensive approach that reflects the realities of everyday life and can be adapted to your own needs and surroundings. Twelve real-world case studies show how performing ordinary activities—from gardening and household chores to travel and caring for pets—can lead to unexpected falls and how those risks can be reduced. A guided workbook helps readers develop personalized prevention plans and build safer homes and habits over time. You Can Prevent Falls offers an insightful, practical path toward aging safely, confidently, and independently.