You have a good life that's full of activity. On any given day, you may walk the neighborhood, go out to eat with friends, hit the pickleball court, or play with your grandchildren. A hip fracture puts all of that at risk. Typically requiring surgery, time in the hospital, and months of physical therapy, a fractured hip does more than slow you down. It brings life to a screeching halt. For some, a fractured hip is something they never get past.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are more than 300,000 hip fractures every year in the U.S. Most fractures affect people aged 65 and older, but that doesn't mean fractures are a normal part of aging. With a few tips, you can keep your hip out of harm's way and continue enjoying life at the pace you prefer.

A broken hip is painful when it happens, but it can also lead to health issues that develop after you heal, including: 

• Anemia
• Blood clots 
• Delirium
• Difficulty walking or total loss of ability to walk
• Heart attack or heart failure
• Inability to bear weight on the fractured hip 
• Pain in the groin
• Urinary tract infections

Hip surgery can repair the broken bone, but recovery may take months. In the meantime, you're missing out on all your favorite activities. Also, multiple studies have noted that broken hips aren't just difficult to overcome. They also increase the likelihood of premature death. Even after surgery, hip fracture increases the likelihood of a senior dying within a year by three- or four-fold.

Trauma can lead to a broken hip at any age or stage of life. However, the breaks usually happen to those over age 65.

Risk factors for a fractured hip include:

• Being a woman over age 65. Though older men break their hips, 75% of broken hips occur in women. Therefore, women should be particularly careful to protect their hips.
• Family history of breaks. If you have family members with weak bones who experienced breaks late in life, you're more likely to have a hip fracture as well.
• An unhealthy lifestyle. You can lower your risk of fractures by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and staying physically active. 
• Taking certain medications. Some medications affect your balance and strength, putting you at risk of falling and breaking your hip.
• Vision problems. Bad vision isn't just annoying. It can cause you to fall, which is the main cause of broken hips. 
• Weakened bones. Bone density measures how mineral-dense your bones are. Reduced bone density leads to osteoporosis and osteopenia. Protect your bone density by eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods and performing resistance exercises, which strengthen bones.

Though you can't always prevent a broken hip, you can stop many of them. If you want to protect against hip fractures, start with improving your balance. If you struggle to stay on your toes, your risk of a broken hip increases dramatically. Maintain your good balance, and your risk practically vanishes, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that falls cause more than 95% of all broken hips.

Want to raise your chances of staying upright? Start by doing this:

1. Declutter your home. Stacks of magazines by your chair may be convenient, but they're also easy to trip over. Get them off the floor. While you're at it, install grab bars in your bathroom, keep your home well-lit and make sure the railings by your stairs are sturdy. These small steps help you make it around your home safely.
2. Know your medicines. Read the instructions that come with your medications to understand any drug interactions or potential side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness, that might affect your balance. Better yet, ask your pharmacist or provider. He or she might recommend a different medication or dosage that will minimize your risk of falls. 
3. See your optometrist. An annual eye exam ensures you see as clearly as possible so you can safely navigate stairs, hills, and the inside of your home.
4. Strengthen your body. Working out is a great way to boost your balance. Walking powers up your legs, stretching helps prevent tight muscles and improves your posture, and yoga can improve your balancing abilities.

Fall avoidance isn't all you should do. To further protect your hips, get an osteoporosis screening. If your bone density is low, work with your provider to find a solution. This may require diet changes, increased exercise, or medication.