Stay On Your Feet® recently held a training session for our wonderful team of Injury Matters Volunteer Peer Educators. We had Peter Merralls, a retired Pharmacist and former Peer Educator, talk to us about how medications can increase the risk of falls in older adults.
Peter explained that before new medications are approved, they go through in-depth testing to ensure they are safe. However, medications can still have side effects, such as feeling unsteady, blurred vision, dizziness, or memory problems. These side effects can increase your risk of falls, especially when combined with other medications, vitamins, supplements, or alcohol.
Top tips for managing your medications safely to prevent falls
- Keep an up-to-date list of your medicines. Note the use-by date and the reason you are taking them.
- Book a medicine check or a home medicine review with your GP or pharmacist.
- If you take sleeping tablets for longer than two weeks, please ask your GP about a gradual reduction plan.
- Do not share medicines with others. Medicines are prescribed for you only, and mixing medicines can increase side effects.
- Ask your pharmacist to organise your medicines into a dosage tool, such as a Webster Pack, so you know which medications you need to take and when.
- Pay attention to how your body and mind feel. If you notice any changes, such as feeling dizzy, drowsy, depressed, or in pain, please speak to your GP.
Be sleep smart
Our Peer Educators learned the risks of using sleeping tablets for a long period of time. Over time, the body can get used to these tablets, meaning you need higher doses for them to work. These tablets can also make you feel sleepy and less alert the next day, which increases your chance of falling, especially if you wake up during the night. If you often need to go to the bathroom at night, it’s a good idea to install night lights to keep you safe.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your use of sleeping tablets.
Advice for a better sleep
- Develop a bedtime routine- read a book before bed, have a bath, or listen to soothing music.
- Switch off devices such as television, computers, phones or tablets an hour before you go to bed.
- Avoid alcohol- even small amounts affect your sleep quality.
- Follow a regular sleep schedule and aim to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.
- Avoid napping in the late afternoon or evening.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine such as coffee and certain teas.
To reduce your risk of falls, remember to use the Stay On Your Feet® Medicine List and have your medications reviewed by your pharmacist or doctor every year.
For more tips on how to reduce your risk of medicine-related falls, watch our Check Your Medicines with Nancy animation.