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What can I do to help my mother-in-law? She is constantly tripping over things in her apartment. I'm afraid she's going to fall and kill herself.

Falls are, in fact, a cause of death in 10,000 people 65 years and older in the United States every year. Falls also account for 87 percent of all fractures in this same age group.

There is much that can be done to change this. The first step is to identify risk factors. Reducing those risk factors comes next. Poor vision, poor lighting, household clutter, painful joints, and muscle weakness are just a few risk factors. Poor health, fatigue, and some medications are additional risk factors.

Some things can be done right away to help. Others take more time. For example, remove any barriers to freedom of movement. This might include piles of magazines and newspapers. Throw rugs in doorways can easily trip the person who can't lift a painful, arthritic limb. Make sure there are nightlights for dark hallways and the bathroom.

n exercise program to stay fit is essential. Strength and balance are keys to avoiding falls. The right exercise program can help a person recover quickly when caught off balance.

inally, make sure there isn't a medical problem causing these falls. Dizziness leading to falls can occur from sudden changes in blood pressure or dehydration. Falling can be the first sign of neurologic problems.

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