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.