Older Adult Safety and Fall Prevention

2024 New Year Healthy Lifestyles Choices: Tai Chi, Mindfulness, Nutrition, and Better Sleep - Register HERE!

Request a Smart Driver, Smart Driver TEK, or Steps to Safety Class in your community by contacting Karla Klas ksklas@med.umich.edu

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Older adults are at higher risk for burn and trauma injuries. Common causes of burn injuries are from cooking, bathing, drinking hot beverages, and eating. Traumatic injuries commonly occur in older adults from falls and car crashes. Contact us about available Tai Chi and other prevention education classes: traumaburn@umich.edu

What You Can Do To Prevent Falls (pdf)

Family Caregivers: Protect Your Loved Ones from Falling (pdf)

Resources on Older Adult Safety, Driving, and Fall Prevention

Tai Chi for Fall Prevention & Health Online Classes brought to you by University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center and Michigan State University Extension
NFPA Steps to Safety Program: Request a class by Trauma Burn Center instructor Karla Klas
Smart Driver Safety Course and Smart Driver TEK Course for drivers age 50 and older provided by AARP and the Trauma Burn Center. Request a class by Trauma Burn Center instructor Karla Klas
GetSetUp: Register for free virtual classes for older adults - taught by peers. Ask questions, make new friends, learn new things, improve your health and well-being, and have fun! Brought to you by Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services and GetSetUp: Click here to learn more and register.
Michigan's Safe Drivers Smart Options: Keys to Lifelong Mobility
CarFit: Request a CarFit event by Trauma Burn Center instructor Karla Klas
University of Michigan Geriatrics and Turner Senior Resource Center and Wellness Programs
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) STEADI Program and Fall Prevention
Matter of Balance Program and other Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) services for seniors
National Council on Aging
National Institute on Aging - National Institutes of Health: 1) Go4Life website; 2) Workout to Go; 3) Participating in Activities You Enjoy; 4) Tips to Stay Motivated to Exercise; and 5) Go4Life - Your Everyday Guide
Michigan Medicine Medication Safety Tips
View recorded sessions of the Older Adult Injury Prevention Summit held in October and November of 2021: Click here to view the recorded sessions.

Talk to Your Doctor

Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about taking vitamin D supplements.
Do Strength and Balance Exercises.
Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.