Tag Archives: Fall prevention

Fall Prevention Tips

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Fall Prevention Tips According to an article written in the New York Times, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. Every 19 minutes in this country, an older person dies from a fall.”

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is committed to educating our community’s senior citizens on how to prevent falls. Here are some quick tips to help seniors stay safe.

Exercise

Your body needs to be active to stay healthy. The benefits of movement far outweigh the safety of inaction. Exercise ensures healthy joints, balance, endurance, and strength.

Medications

Always ask your doctor what your prescribed medications’ side effects are. If certain medications do make you dizzy, let your physician know. Be sure to read labels, check expiration dates, and follow all instructions carefully. Your diet may also affect how you feel on certain drugs. Make sure you keep a list of all the medications you are taking and bring it with you to each doctor that you visit.

Vision

Maintain your eye health by seeing an eye doctor for checkups as recommended.  Doing so can reduce your risk of developing age-related eye diseases such as cataracts. If diagnosed with cataracts, removing them may reduce your risk of falling.  Be extra cautious after having cataract surgery, as there is a chance your vision will change.

Home Safety

The four most common areas of the home where falls occur are the stairs, the bathroom, the living room, and the bedroom. Stairs should be clear of clutter and well lit. When going up and down the staircase, make sure you hold on to the banister for extra support. Grab bars should be installed near the bathtub or shower stall to prevent slipping. The living room should be well lit, clear of clutter and have wide unobstructed pathways to get around. When getting out of bed, take your time to adjust to sitting and standing slowly. Do not rush.

Ask for Help

There is no shame in asking for help from others.  When riding the bus, ask for a seat. If you need to change a lightbulb have a neighbor, friend, or family member help out. If you need a ride to get to the doctor, there are many resources available to you to do so safely. Let others know where you are and what you’re doing often, especially if you are living alone.

To receive more information on  Falls Prevention,  please visit Jamaica Hospital Trauma Department’s  Injury Prevention page https://jamaicahospital.org/clinical-services/trauma-center/injury-prevention/

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Fall Prevention Tips

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Falls are a common occurrence among the elderly population, with more than one in four older adults experiencing a fall each year.

It is estimated that almost half of all adults who fall do not tell their primary care provider, often due to embarrassment or the assumption that falls are expected with aging. Understanding who is most at risk for falls and how to avoid them can help prevent bruising, broken bones, head injuries or internal bleeding – all of which can be life-threatening.

The American Geriatrics Society and the American Academy of Family Physicians identify adults older than 65 years old, anyone with a history of falls, weak leg muscles, or concerns with vision, walking or balance to be at risk for falls.

To prevent falls, it is important to give careful consideration to the possible causes.

  • Medications may have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, which may increase your risk of falls. It is recommended that patients review all their medications with their doctor during their routine visits.
  • To avoid feeling lightheaded or weak, doctors recommend getting up slowly after lying down or sitting after prolonged periods.
  • If you use a cane or walker, learn how to use it correctly and be sure to keep it within reach.
  • Falls commonly occur when trying to reach items on high shelves. It is recommended to move hard-to-reach items to lower shelves, use a step stool or ask for assistance.
  • Bathrooms are common places for falls.  Installing handrails and bath seats are recommended to minimize risk.

Falls may also be caused by tripping over items. To improve the safety of your environment, it is recommended to:

  • Remove obstacles that may be in the way of walking, which include small objects
  • Consider rearranging furniture to maximize visible floor space
  • Rugs should be removed or secured to the floor using double-sided tape or nonslip backing.
  • De-clutter cords or wires
  • Turn on lights in hallways or stairways, or use a night light

If you live alone, you may benefit from a personal emergency response system to immediately alert emergency responders of falls or injuries. Examples include medical alert bracelets and necklaces.

If a fall does occur, notify your doctor and seek an evaluation to review the cause of the fall and identify any injuries. Even if you were not hurt, it is important to report falls to prevent a recurrence.  To speak with a Family Medicine doctor about fall risks and prevention, please call (718) 206-6942.

Ambika Nath DO, Family Medicine

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Today is Fall Prevention Awareness Day – Learn How to Prevent a Fall

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On this day we welcome in one type of fall and at the same time, look to avoid another.

September 22, 2017 is the first day of fall in 2017, but this day also brings attention to National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this day of recognition sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits for older adults. They are a major cause of hip fractures and are responsible for more than half of fatal head injuries.

This year’s Fall Prevention Awareness Day theme is Take a Stand to Prevent Falls. It seeks to unite professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and exercising measures to prevent falls in the older adult population.

The NCOA offers the following fall prevention tips for older adults:

  • Find a good exercise program to build balance, strength and flexibility
  • Ask your healthcare provider to provide you with a fall risk assessment based on your medical history
  • Regularly review your medications to determine if they increase your risk of falling
  • Get your hearing and vision checked annually
  • Keep your home safe by removing hazards and improve lighting conditions
  • Enlist the help and support of family members and neighbors

By providing these tips, Jamaica Hospital hopes everyone has a fall-free fall season.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.