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.
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