A few weeks ago, I wrote about a friend’s dad who had both of his hips replaced. Since then, I’ve spoken to family and friends with hip issues of their own. One family member dislocated her hip last week after using it to move furniture. She said, “I always used my hip to bump furniture back in place, but I guess I forgot I’m 75 years old now, and probably shouldn’t do that!”  I thought, “That would be something to keep in mind.” Another friend has had serious hip pain for the last few months, which he believes is related to a hip injury he sustained while doing sports many years ago. I told him prevention is important, and he should get his hips checked before whatever is happening gets worse.

A common concern of people as they get older is the possibility of fractures, especially those of the hips.  For women, there is a 1 in 7 chance of having a hip fracture, and for men, a 1 in 17 chance. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, those that are vulnerable include:

• Age: Those 65 and older.
• Gender: Women (who are 2–3 times more likely than men to have a hip fracture).
• Heredity: A family history of fractures, particularly in whites and Asians, and also those with a small frame.
• Nutrition: Those with a low calcium intake, especially during childhood.
• Personal habits: Smoking or excessive alcohol intake.
• Physical impairments: Frailty, arthritis, unsteady balance or poor eyesight.
• Mental impairments: Senility, dementia or Alzheimer’s.
• Medications: Weakness or dizziness from side effects of medication.

So what would be the best way to prevent fractures? One way to to stay active with weight bearing activities such as walking or even lifting small weights —remember: moving furniture with your hips doesn’t count! Just make sure you exercise in a safe manner — if you have recommendations from you physician or physical therapist, follow those. Ensure that your home and that of a loved one is a safe environment. For example, remove unsecured or torn rugs, wires and electric cords are out of the way, and there is adequate lighting. For added safety, footwear should have a non-skid surface and walking devices such as a walker or cane has an intact rubber bottom. Items in the bathroom and kitchen should be within reach so the use of a step stool is eliminated, which many years ago caused the hip fracture in my great-grandmother. To see more ways that you can prevent falls in the home, check out the video below:

Have regular vision screenings which can identify problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Also, some medications may have a side effect of weakness or dizziness, so be aware of what you are taking and why. As it has been said before: Prevention is the best medicine.

Be safe.