COLUMBUS – STEADY U Ohio, the statewide falls prevention initiative, and Ohio’s Best Rx program, which
provides prescription drug savings for more than 1.6 million Ohioans, have partnered to stress the role
that proper prescription medication management can play in keeping older Ohioans safe.
May is Older Americans Month, with the theme: "Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow." By adopting and
maintaining healthy habits, including an open dialogue with your doctor and pharmacist, you can avoid
many risk factors that can lead to a fall and injury.
"It is not an exaggeration to call falls among older Ohioans an epidemic. While residents age 65 and
older make up 13.7 percent of our population, they account for more than 80 percent of fatal
falls," said Bonnie K. Burman, Sc.D., director of the Ohio Department of Aging, which leads the
STEADY U Ohio initiative. "The good news is that falls are not a normal part of aging – most falls
can be prevented with minor changes to home, health and habits, including increased awareness of the
ways that the medicines we take, and how we take them, may increase our risk."
"As a STEADY U Ohio partner, Ohio’s Best Rx encourages our Golden Buckeyes and Ohioans of all ages
to speak with their doctors and pharmacists to see whether the medicines they take can increase the risk
of falling," added Barry Katz, a pharmacist and president of Envision Pharmaceutical Services,
which operates the Ohio’s Best Rx program. "With Ohio’s Best Rx, all of Ohio’s seniors have access
to affordable medication and top-quality pharmacists, and we hope our residents take advantage of this
important program to avoid unnecessary accidents."
An older Ohioan is injured in a fall every five minutes on average, resulting in two hospitalizations
each hour, an emergency department visit every 7.5 minutes; and three deaths each day. Some prescription
medications can increase your risk of falling because they may cause dizziness, drowsiness, numbness or
may have other side effects that affect your balance and perception.
According to the FDA, body changes as we age can affect the way medicines are absorbed and used. These
changes include slower digestion, increased body weight, slower circulation and decreased liver and
kidney function. These changes increase the risk of drug side effects and interactions for older adults.

To help reduce your risk of falling due to drug interactions or side effects, STEADY U Ohio and Ohio’s
Best Rx offer these tips:
• Maintain a list of all the drugs you take – Include doses, frequency and prescribing doctor. Also
include any over-the-counter medicines (pain relievers, antacids, cold medicines, etc.) or supplements
you take. Bring the list with you to doctor’s appointments and when you pick up prescriptions.
• Read the label – if it says "may cause dizziness or drowsiness," or cautions against driving,
ask about the best time to take it to avoid falls. Also ask about alternative treatments with less
hazardous side effects.
• Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. If you find it hard to stick to a medication schedule or if
you have trouble telling medicines apart, your doctor may have some ideas to help. Similarly, ask your
doctor to write detailed directions on how and when to take your medications.
• Talk to your doctor about changes to your eating habits (such as a low-fat or high-calcium diet), as
well as how much caffeine and alcohol you consume, as these can all affect how your medicines work.
• If you have trouble reading warning labels or directions on your medicine containers, your pharmacist
may be able to provide the same information in an easier-to-read format.
• Choose over-the-counter medications that only have the ingredients you need. Your pharmacist can help
select the best OTC options for your symptoms.
Visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov and follow SteadyUOhio on Facebook and Twitter for more falls prevention tips
and resources.
The Wood County Committee on Aging serves all area seniors and can be reached at 419-353-5661.
For locations for "A Matter of Balance" workshop, call 1-866-243-5678.