As you age, balance can become an issue. Here’s what to do.

Although you can slip and fall at any point in life, it’s more common with age. More than 1 out of 4 older adults take a tumble each year, and about 20 percent of these falls lead to injuries such as broken bones, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A host of aging-related changes may be at fault. “We lose muscle strength and flexibility, and our senses become less sharp,” says Anne Vanderbilt, a nurse practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Geriatric Medicine. Vision and hearing can become less sharp, reducing awareness of fall hazards.

Chronic conditions such as arthritis can affect balance, as can certain meds, says Audrey Chun, vice chair of geriatrics and palliative medicine outpatient services with the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.