Have You Had a Recent Fall?
Falling Can Be Serious. In older people, one out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. Each year, 2.8 million older people go to the Emergency Room because of a fall. Over 800,000 people are hospitalized each year because of serious head injury or hip fracture.
Take precautions to avoid a fall, especially in winter.
Falls which cause head injuries can be serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines like blood thinners. An older person who falls and hits their head should see the doctor right away to make sure there’s no brain injury.
Injuries due to falling can make it hard to get around and manage everyday activities. People who fall, even if there is no injury, become afraid of falling again. This fear may cause people to cut down on everyday activities, becoming weaker and increasing the chances of falling again.
Call AW Health Care for an assessment after a fall. We can alleviate your concerns and help you get back to regular activities. In MO (314) 726-5600; In IL (618) 344-8800
Prevent Falls
Take a Safety Assessment of Your Home
There are many simple and inexpensive ways to make a home safer and prevent falls. For professional assistance, consult an Occupational Therapist.
- Lighting – Increase lighting throughout the house, especially at the top and bottom of stairs. Make sure lighting is easily available if you get up at night.
- Stairs – Make sure there are two secure rails on all stairs.
- Bathrooms – Install grab-bars in the tub/shower and near the toilet. Consider using a shower chair and hand-held shower.
- Get Regular Exercise – Some falls are caused by weak muscles. Strength-building exercises are best and include: walking, swimming and dancing
- De-Clutter! –Look around and remove fall hazards like electrical cords, pet toys, magazines, shoes, baskets and plants. Get rid of throw rugs.
- Clean Up Spills – If you spill something, take time to clean it up so no one trips and slips
Especially in winter, look where you are putting your feet to avoid a fall.
- Use a Cane – If you are becoming a little wobbly, try using a cane and use handrails on stairs. You may want to also install grab bars in your bathroom tub and shower.
- Turn On The Lights – With age, eyesight declines. Turn on lights in dark hallways. Add brighter lighting to stairwells and porches. Keep a flashlight handy if you get up at night and install simple nightlights.
Look First! Plan Your Route!
When outside, especially in winter, look before you walk! Be AWake to icy conditions, broken pavement or cracked sidewalks. If a sidewalk or entrance you typically use is icy or packed with snow, find a different route that has been shoveled or treated for safe accessibility. Don’t hurry to catch the bus or beat the traffic when crossing the street. If you are uncomfortable on a surface or at an intersection, ask for help!
When you are indoors, you should still observe safety. Plan your route. Keep pathways lighted, look around before you walk and remove items in your pathway.
After dark, whether indoors or outdoors, carry a flashlight. This will make it easier for you to see what’s ahead. If you are carrying a flashlight you will be more visible to passing drivers.
Sturdy shoes that have rubber soles and fit properly are best for seniors. Seniors should avoid wearing flip flops, slippers, high heels and backless shoes. Do not wear shoes with slick soles. Even bare feet or socks can lead to slips and falls, so it’s best to wear shoes as often as possible.
Special care should be taken in the winter months to avoid a fall and serious injury.
Winter Snow and Ice
Special care should be taken during winter months. Snow and ice can track in your house on your shoes and increase the chances of a fall. Clean off your shoes after going outside in snow and ice.
See the Ear Doctor and The Eye Doctor. Hearing and vision loss can make you more prone to falling. Be sure to get your eyes and ears checked annually or if you notice a change.
Medications can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Ask your doctor if any medicines you take can add to your fall risk. If so, you should take extra precautions to prevent falls.
Wear Good Footwear. Sturdy well-fitting shoes with rubber soles help with balance. Avoid flip flops, slippers, high heels and backless shoes.
Winter Poses Other Problems For Seniors
- Dehydration – Drink 4 or 5 glasses of water each day during dry winter days to avoid dehydration.
- Itching – Dry winter days also spell trouble for skin. Because of lower humidity you should use skin lotions after bathing and throughout the day to avoid dry, itchy skin.
- Hypothermia – Older adults’ bodies do not tolerate the cold as well as younger people. Keep your thermostat at 65 degrees at a minimum.
- Chronic Pain – Colder weather aggravates chronic problems like arthritis. Talk to your doctor if you experience greater pain during the winter.
- Heart Problems – In colder weather you blood vessels constrict. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood which carries oxygen through your body. Layer up with appropriate clothing to keep your body warm.
Older adults do not tolerate the cold as well as they did in younger years.
- Sleep Habits – your sleep and wake habits may be disturbed by the shorter winter days. You may want to use an alarm to wake to keep to a regular sleep schedule.
How are your New Year’s Resolutions Coming Along?
It’s now nearing the end of January. It’s a new year. For many it’s a new start. People often make new year resolutions only to find how hard it is to keep them. Creating new habits take s time and energy. The “new you” won’t happy overnight, but at least you can get a foothold on making needed changes in your life if you hang in there. Keep nudging yourself in the direction of positive change with these steps:
Dream Big! Maybe your goal is too big to become reality in just a few weeks. But you can break it down into small achievable milestones.
Tell Others! People are often inspired by the desire to achieve. Don’t be surprised if your friends and family cheer you on.
Take Small Steps! Make a list of smaller goals that are easy. If you can achieve some small goals towards a bigger goal, you will build confidence.
Be Committed. You have to find a way to be accountable to yourself. Tell your friends, your spouse and family members what you are trying to do. You can even talk about your goals on a Facebook page or “tweet” about it.
Be committed and tell others about your New Year’s resolutions. It will help you keep on track.
Be Grateful. Remember that no one is perfect and we all fail at times, but be grateful for the little successes you gain. If you commit to 30 minutes in the gym but today you only have time for 10 minutes, be proud of that….and…keep going.
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