Take The Right Steps During Falls Prevention Week
9/19/2022
Falling down can
sometime lead to scrapes and bruises, but for older adults (65 and up) it could
mean a trip to the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), falls account for 2.8 million older adults visiting emergency
departments each year and over 800,000 hospitalizations.
“As people get
older, specifically over the age of 65, the risk of falling increases. Elements
that help us balance, such as our hearing and eyesight, start to decrease along
with strength and endurance,” says Josh Scott, an athletic trainer with Aspirus.
“Fractures are the most common serious injury resulting from falls in older
adults. Specifically, fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis. This
can lead to lost independence, overall health decline and care needs increase
significantly.”
September 18 –
24 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week. There are many ways to help prevent
and avoid falls. Those who take care of their overall health can help lower
their chances of falling and help maintain key factors of their health, such as
balance and strength, that keep them on their feet.
Here are a few tips
to help you avoid falls, according to the National Institute of Health:
- Stay
physically active. Plan an exercise program and regularly
exercise to improve muscle strength and to keep joints, tendons, and ligaments
flexible.
- Have
your eyes and hearing tested. Always wear your glasses or contacts when
you need them. If you have a hearing aid, be sure it fits well and wear it.
- Find
out about the side effects of any medicine you take. If a drug makes
you sleepy or dizzy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
- Stand
up slowly. Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop. That
can make you feel wobbly. Get your blood pressure checked when lying and
standing.
- Use
an assistive device if you need help feeling steady when you
walk. Appropriate use of canes and walkers can prevent falls, especially
when walking in uneven and unfamiliar areas.
- Be
very careful when walking on wet or icy surfaces and wear non-skid,
rubber-soled shoes that fully support your feet.
Millions of falls
occur that are severe enough to require medical attention and less than half of
older adults that fall tell their health care provider, according to the CDC.
It is important to always tell
a doctor if a fall has occurred since a previous checkup. Even if an
individual is not hurt when they fall, a fall can alert doctors to a new
medical problem or the need for a change in prescriptions.
Doctors may suggest
physical therapy or fall prevention classes to help increase strength and
balance for those who experience falls more frequently. A walking aid or other
devices may also be issued to help prevent future falls.
For more information
about fall prevention, visit https://www.aspirus.org/falls-prevention
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