Page 9 - Lake Front News: August 2021 Edition

Fall Prevention Is A
Serious Health Concern
By Caroline M. Swihart, RN, MSN, CCM
Most of us have seen that commercial with an elderly person who has fallen and cannot get up. Do you ever imagine that being you? Injury and death related to falling is a serious health concern for approximately one-fourth of the population in the United States who are over the age of 60 years old (Graham, Smith, Wilson, Emerson, & Hall, 2016). According to the Center for Disease Control (2021), falls in the older adult popula- tion cause approximately 32,000 deaths a year, 3 million older adults are treated in the emergency room yearly as a result of a fall, and out of the 300,000 older persons treated for hip fractures yearly, 95% of those were from falling. Those numbers are staggering!
What Can You Do?
Falls are not a normal part of aging. We can take steps to prevent falling, stay safe, and live in- dependently longer.
Talk With Your Health Care Provider
1. Discuss fall risks and prevention strategies openly with your health care provider.
2. Be sure to speak up and let your health care provider know if you have fallen, feel dizzy, or are unsteady on your feet.
3. Some medications can make you a bigger risk for falling. Discuss medications with your provider and include all over-the -counter type you may be taking as well.
4. Have your vision checked yearly or anytime you are noticing changes in vision.
5. Wear proper fitting footwear and discuss with your provider if you should also consult with a foot specialist (podiatrist).
Create a Safe Environment
1. Remove tripping hazards such as clutter and throw rugs.
2. Consider installing grab bars and hand rails in areas such as bathrooms and stairs.
3. For those with vision impairments the use of florescent type paints can mark step edges in order to detect them better.
Stay as Active as Possible
1. Walk daily if able.
2. Join a muscle strengthening exercise activ- ity such as yoga or Tia Chi, which can also im- prove balance.
3. Check with your provider if an evaluation with Physical Therapy is appropriate for you.
When it comes to preventing a fall, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure! All of us want to stay safe, free from injuries, and living as independently for as long as we can. A fall prevention plan is well worth investing in. Additional information and planning guides are available at no charge through the CDC. https:// www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/ index.html as well as discussing a plan with your personal health care provider.
Falls are not a normal part of aging.
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