YOUR HIP
Your hips allow you to walk, run, sit, squat, kneel, and perform many of your daily activities. Within your hip, you have ligaments that help provide stability in movement and bones that provide structural support. If you injure these ligaments or bones, you may lose normal mobility and may also experience pain and swelling. Healthy hips are vital to an active lifestyle.
REDUCE YOUR RISK OF FALLING
- Don’t get up too quickly after waking
- Don’t skip meals (hunger can cause dizziness)
- Be careful around pets
- Use a cane or walker if you feel unsteady. Make sure all rubber tips of these devices are in good working order
- In the bathroom, never use a towel rack or soap dish for support. These devices are not designed to sustain a person’s weight
- If in doubt, use a shower chair
- Clean up puddles of water immediately
- Don’t lock the bathroom door. If you fall, a locked door will delay help
- Never carry objects that obstruct your view
- Use handrails
- Make items easy to reach around your home
- Wear your glasses (if you need them)
- Don’t rush to the phone when it rings. Missing a call is a better alternative to falling and injuring yourself
- Don’t wear pants or bathrobes that are too long
- Close cabinet drawers, kitchen drawers, and the dishwasher
- Don’t leave things on the floor