9
Staying active
and
on your feet
Have your eyes checked by an
optometrist or ophthalmologist at least
every two years, and by your doctor in
the years between.
Consider having a separate pair of
glasses for walking outdoors.
Give your eyes time to adjust to sudden
changes in light, and ensure that you
have good lighting at home and on
stairs.
If you get new glasses or any treatment
for your eyes, be especially careful. You
will need to allow your eyesight time to
adjust.
Mobility and walking aids
A walking aid may help improve your
safety and mobility.
If you think that this would beneft
you, talk to a health professional such
as a physiotherapist or occupational
therapist. They will be able to suggest
the most suitable aid for you and show
you how to use the aid safely and
confdently.
If you do use a walking aid at home, you
might need to rearrange your furniture
so that you can move around easily.
Footwear
Healthy feet and well-ftted footwear
help reduce your chances of tripping
and falling.
Keep your feet healthy by keeping
nails trimmed and getting treatment
for bunions, corns and calluses.
The safest footwear has:
• thin frm soles with a tread
• low square heels
• a frm support around the heel
to improve stability.