An Ounce of Fall Prevention

If you have anyone in your life who is getting up there in age, please read the below article about fall prevention.  There are such simple steps to take that will help minimize a loved one's risk of falling, some of which are enumerated towards the end of the article.  I was just with a client on Sunday morning and she mentioned that she doesn't believe she can get up from the floor without help.  This 83 year-old woman happens to live alone in a split level home, with no contingency plan in case she ever needed help.  I am well aware of the pride people have in maintaining their independence as they grow older and I am all for that.  However, I thought this was an important topic to address because as usual, an ounce of prevention can help avoid the much bigger problems that typically accompany falls.

Roughly ten years ago, my grandmother fell in her home and broke her hip.  She was living alone despite her age of nearly ninety.  She was unable to get to a phone or contact anyone for help.  My aunt, who lived four doors down the street from her and who checked in on her regularly, discovered her mother on the floor 24 hours later.  I don't want that to happen to any of your family members.  Please consider some of the steps mentioned in the accompanying article, and how they might be applied to someone in your life.  This may be a family member, but it could also be an elderly neighbor who might need your help.  Those folks for whom you take precautions will thank you for helping them continue to live safe, independent lives.  One day down the road, we'll all hope to have someone looking after us in the same way.

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/scientists-weigh-in-on-fall-prevention/?ref=health