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Fall

prevention

tips for the

holidays

If a senior loved one will

be visiting your home over

the holidays, here are a few

things you can do to make

your home safer for them:

Let there be lights! Add

some night lights to hall-

ways, stairs and bathrooms.

Your folks may not be

used to stairs anymore.

They are a particularly dan-

gerous part of the house,

especially with a walker.

Accompany them on the

stairs. Try to give them a

room on the first floor.

Put in some non-slip

strips or a mat in the

shower. If possible, install

a grab bar in the shower.

A pair of non-slip socks

makes a good holiday gift.

Clear up clutter and

keep pathways clear of

gift boxes, wrapping paper

and objects that may make

walking difficult—especially

if they use a walker or cane.

Keep pets from jumping

on them or getting in the

way of their walking path.

Point out any rearranged

furniture and new decora-

tions that they might trip

over.

If your loved one needs

extra help, consider getting

a baby monitor to put in

their room and yours, or

in the kitchen, so you will

know if they need help.

Be sensitive to their

routine or schedule—they

have a different energy level

than you do.

very

13

seconds an older

adult is seen in an emer-

gency department for a

fall-related injury, making

falls a major threat to the

health and independence of

adults aged

65

and older.

“The rate of fall-related deaths

among older adults in the United

States has risen significantly over the

past decade,” said

Gina Dawson, PT,

DPT,

Director of Physical Therapy

at Methodist Ambulatory Surgery

Hospital. “According to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, each

year 25,000 older adults die from a

fall—that’s one every 20 minutes.”

Despite these statistics, Dawson is

optimistic and wants everyone to know

that the opportunity to reduce falls

among older adults has never been bet-

ter. “Approximately 60 to 70 percent of

falls can be prevented,” she said. “Falls

are

not

a normal part of aging. Indi-

viduals are never too old to improve

their balance, strength and endurance

to prevent falls.”

Dawson has been the driving force

behind Stay Upright, a program of

Methodist Healthcare

aimed at leading the com-

munity in reducing falls

and fall-related injuries

through focused commu-

nity awareness and pro-

gramming. Her primary

motivation has been her

parents, both in their 80s.

“When I see my parents, I

think about all the seniors

out there,” she said. “Falls

can impact their quality of life and their

ability to live independently.”

Fall-related injuries among adults

60 years of age and older are associated

with substantial economic costs, too.

The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention reports $20 billion spent an-

nually to treat older adults for injuries

PREVENTION

FALL

E

—Continued on page 3

PUT SAFETY ON YOUR LIST.

5 tips for buying safe toys.

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M E T H O D I S T H E A L T H C A R E — S A N A N T O N I O

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Gina Dawson, PT, DPT