Just Don’t Fall

We might have seen the commercial on TV for a chair lift system where the announcer says “just don’t fall, safely ride …”.

Well that is easier said than done.

Ice and snow for example pose very unique hazards that sometimes we can not control. Incidents will happen even though we have proper footwear, walk carefully, were not in a hurry, etc.

But other types of falls in the home due to wet floors, loose carpets or clutter can easily be corrected. Falls are one of the leading incidents that paramedics respond to.

Why? Maybe we are in a rush and don’t see the hazard or maybe we have other mobility challenges that prevent safe navigation.

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

12h ago

WORLD SOFTBALL

Group stages officially set for Men's Softball World Cup in P.A.

19h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

Apr 23, 2024

• 57% of Canadians are over age 65 – 70% of Canadians over 85 are women
• it is estimated that 20% of seniors who enter a hospital for treatment of an injury are moved from their private residences to institutionalized care
• 50% of the 1 in 3 seniors who fall/year will experience repeated falls
• risk of serious injury and death due to falls increases dramatically with age among older people- injured seniors often face an irreversible decline in function, which can lead to institutionalization and death
• alcohol, like medication, is known to attain higher levels in the blood stream of older people compared to younger people who have consumed equal amounts.
• Falls are responsible for about 84% of injury-related hospital admissions and 40% of admissions to nursing homes.
• 20%of people who break a hip will die within a one-year period, either directly or indirectly from a fall
• falls are the 6^th leading cause of death amongst older adults

With these sometimes glooming statistics what can we do? As strange as it sounds, the commercial maybe right, just don’t fall. But here’s some ways to prevent falls.

• Examine your surroundings
  • Outdoors:
    • Keep sidewalks free of ice and snow
    • Ensure good lighting so you can see where you are going
    • Report problems like uneven or broken sidewalk, play equipment or other hazards
  • Indoors:
    • Keep your home or apartment neat and tidy by eliminating clutter
      • Put “stuff” like boxes, books, newspapers, craft projects away
      • Remove or secure loose mats
      • Secure loose extension cords
    • Keep your surroundings such as stairs or decks in a good state of repair
    • Keep area well lit and have night lights placed to navigate in the dark
    • Consider a personal panic alarm if you do fall that you can summon help
    • Use your mobility aids in the home not just grabbing onto furniture.

When we fall the urgency of wanting to get up right away can lead to additional injury. If you fall and remain conscious please take your time before getting up.

Stop and move arms, legs and check your hips to ensure you are not injured. Call paramedics if you are injured and need medical assistance. If you find someone unconscious possibly due to a fall, then call paramedics right away.

If you try helping someone to stand/move and they complain of significant pain to hips, back or legs, please stop and don’t move them further. Again calling for paramedics is the best option.

We can all prevent falls in a number of ways. Taking our time, removing clutter and wearing proper footwear for conditions are easily simply steps we can all do. Flip flops to take out the garbage in the winter is just not a good idea. Health Canada has some great resources on their web site at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/publications/public/injury-blessure/prevent-eviter/index-eng.php With slippery conditions outdoors due to ice and snow take your time, wear some good footwear when you do venture out and don’t forget to take along mobility aids.