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Falls are NOT Seasonal
Care Choice Home Care • October 1, 2018
1.) One in three adults age 65 and older fall each year.
2.) Hospitalizations of adults 65+ years old are five (5!!) times more often from falls than they are for injuries.
3.) Nearly 30% of them suffer moderate to severe injuries, putting their ability to get around or live independently at risk!
LOWER YOUR RISK….
If your doctor prescribes a cane or walker, USE IT! If dignity is your concern, consider how much more uncomfortable it would be (and potentially painful) to fall and need assistance to get up.
Wear low-heeled or rubber-soled shoes to support your feet. Perhaps they aren’t as fashionable as your accustomed to but neither is a cast!
Install grab bars in your home. Once considered an interior design nightmare, these VERY necessary safety tools have been refined and are essential to aging in place.
Talk with your doctor and/or pharmacist about side effects from medications. EVERY hospitalization and/or medication change needs to be thoroughly discussed as many medicines affect balance and coordination.
Most falls take place in the bathroom. To age safely in place, talk with professionals about installing grab bars, raised toilet seats and shower benches.
Eyesight matters for more than just reading and television! Have your vision tested often. If it changes even slightly it can make you less stable and cause anxiety. Make sure you have plenty of lighting (especially for those late night trips to the toilet!)
Personal Emergency Response Systems may not be as stylish as your typical jewelry but they work! They come as pendants and wrist bands and have proven time and again to be a fall victim’s best chance of getting help when they need it most.
Exercise…just do it! For muscle strength, flexibility and stability improvement. As always, check with your physician before beginning any program.
Enjoy the “Fall” season….and stay on your feet!
Care Choice Home Care…you’ll love the way we care!