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Falls Prevention Awareness

Falls Prevention Awareness is a national health campaign observed as fall begins to increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other falls research:

• More than one out of four Americans age 65+ falls each year.
• Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.
• Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations.
• For older adults in the U.S., fall death rates went up by 30% from 2007-2016, and researchers predict there will be 7 deadly falls every hour by 2030.

Risk factors for falls include a history of falls, impairment in balance, reduced muscle strength, visual problems, gait difficulty, depression, cognitive difficulties, arthritis, diabetes, pain, and the list goes on.

5 Easy Ways to Avoid Falls at Home

Make sure your home is safe and help prevent falls by following these tips:

1. Clear the way. Remove tripping hazards, like throw rugs, cords, or clutter on the floor. Move furniture to create a path for safe movement.
2. Light it up. Replace lightbulbs with bright, non-glare bulbs to help you see around the house.
3. Have a seat. Place a chair in your bedroom so you can sit while getting dressed or putting shoes on.
4. Secure some support. Buy a shower seat, grab bar, and an adjustable-height handheld showerhead to make bathing easier.
5. Store for success. Keep frequently used items between waist and shoulder height, making them easier to access without the need for a stepstool or unsafe reaching.

We’re here to help

Contact us today at (630) 236-8800 to inquire about in-home therapy services. Our therapists are skilled in developing individualized strategies to improve the overall safety and mobility of the patient.

Benefits to patients include:

• Quality of life improvement
• A personalized exercise plan
• Education on proper fall prevention
• Reduction of frequent emergency room visits and repeated hospital admissions

Sources: National Council on Aging and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention