What do you do to prevent falls?

I learned a valuable lesson—keep your shoes on! Came down the stairs in socks, slipped as I stepped from carpet to hardwood, came down hard on hip & thigh tearing my hamstring. Normally, I keep very active, but this has set me back big time. So, it will be slippers w/a sole, barefoot or tennis shoes going forward. 72 y/o and first major “accidental fall.” Thankful it is winter so I am more content to rehab inside.

I did fall just three days ago after getting off the bus in thick winter clothes walking carefully with grocery bag in one hand along the sidewalk which had snow from night before and avoiding icy patches on a dark evening (thanks to longest night approaching) coming upon a larger icy area and next I knew I had fallen on my back. I quickly got up. dusted snow of and someone from passing car called out 'Are You Ok?' I said 'yes' and continued walking for next ten minutes to my apt bldg, with no trace of any pain. I am 82, take no meds, nor seen my GP for some ten years. but do do all kinds of joint movements and general strength and endurance exercises, including walking on Uneven surfaces whenever possible such as right Next to the sidewalk, or on the Balancing Pad in my fitness room.

There is fine balance between being careful and accustoming our body to become Less limber and agile at Any age or physical capacity. Go over it too much and we deteriorate; be over cautious we suffer. Our Bodies will tell us (given the rest of us in in general order) when it's over or under. I've had fallen, once lightly struck by car but ending my fall into a roll and with no injury. Worse, my right eye is nearly useless, so it's the left one that is helping me write right now. I guess being able to walk up eight floors, panting heavily after four helps too. Or doing dips in stairwell as a quick workout. Or standing and pacing over sitting is possible

But what will tomorrow be, I really haven't figured out; not sure anyone does. Just living each breath of my life as fully as it makes sense to Me.

I wish you all optimal health, whatever state of health you are.

@gmarosie AYE! My daughter did the same yesterday and was very sore last night. Since we are "shoes free" household, years ago my PT told me to have supportive "house shoes" that do not go outdoors, not just slippers with soles. When I break that rule, I trip, slip, fall, and get a sore back, hips, legs...just a thought, but to support your recovery, maybe consider shoes on all hard surfaces?

@sueinmn how about wearing non-slip sox like they give us at the hospital ? Amazon has them.

Well, I was lucky!
I just had an "almost fell" that would have been serious.
I was walking the dog along a familiar creek when somehow my feet got stuck between two rocks and I tripped myself. The path was covered with fallen leaves and I didn't see the rocks.
I lost my balance, and would have fallen into the dry creek had there not been a little tree just big enough, just where I could catch myself against it. My walking stick wouldn't have been enough.
O.K. I need to take stock of this. I'll go back carefully and look at the terrain, but I think the thick layer of fallen leaves is more than I can handle, as they also make the path slippery.
I may need to give up a favorite path, at least until the leaves have cleared away.
There are still plenty other paths I can handle.

@nycmusic I found that they catch on carpet, but are fine on hard surfaces