For the past five years, over 500 falls have been reported annually at the emergency room in Groves hospital with a majority of fallers aged 60-plus and with females counting for 300 falls.
When a fall occurs, 115 are contributed by slips and trips and 205 result in an upper limb injury and 115 with a lower limb injury.
So what can you do to prevent falls?
Complete the falls prevention screening tool accompanying this article. (Adapted with permission from the “Stay Independent” brochure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 2015)
Exercise daily to build strength and improve balance.
Wear safe footwear.
Have regular eye check-ups.
Make your home safer by:
– removing clutter and tripping hazards;
– adding railings on all stairs and grab bars in the bathroom; and
– having good lighting, particularly on stairs.
Talk to your health care provider to learn more about your risk.
Proactive approach
The Safe Communities Falls Prevention Priority Advisory Group (for the Older Adult) have been promoting the falls prevention screening tool to local health care providers to identify individuals at risk. By implementing this falls prevention screening tool, we hope to create a proactive versus reactive approach to falls and begin a community conversation about falls prevention.
Remember, it takes a community to prevent a fall…we all have a role to play! What’s your role?
For information about the free services offered by the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team, visit their website at www.mmfht.ca or call the Drayton office at 519-638-2110 or Clifford office at 519-327-4777.
Like them on Facebook (Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team) and follow on Twitter (@MintoMapleton) for healthy living tips and information on upcoming programs and events in the area!
Jena Baker is a registered kinesiologist with the Upper Grand Family Health Team.
