About one in three seniors will suffer a fall this year.
Almost half of the admissions to long-term care facilities are related to falls. However falls are the most preventable risk to a seniors’ health,
well-being and independence.
Preventing Falls Together is a program of Community Links funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection.
The purpose of Preventing Falls
Together is to assist and support organizations that touch the lives of
seniors to incorporate falls prevention strategies.
The Seniors Safety Association
of West Hants is proud to be a partner with the West Hants/Cobequid
Preventing Falls Together Coalition.
The Association has prepared a booklet called “Putting Your Best Foot
Forward” This booklet is available to any senior who wishes to have it. A
slide presentation is also available upon request. Highlights of the booklet are as follows.
(1) Statistics on Seniors Falls.
(2) Why Should Falls Be Prevented?
(3) Hazards in the home that contribute to falling.
(4) A few personnel factors that contribute to falling.
(5) Seniors Home Safety Checklist.
(6) Hip Fractures/Canes and Walking Aids.
(7)
Making Your Home Safe including your backyard,
entrance to your house, and the interior of your home.
How Falls Happen
It can happen in an instant; reaching on a wobbly stool for something located on a high shelf, tripping over uneven pavement, slipping on a rug or patch of ice, or getting up from a bed, a bath, a toilet or a chair. It can happen in a person’s home, in the community, while a patient is in a acute care hospital, or as a resident in a long term care home. There are numerous ways a senior can suddenly trip or lose their balance, resulting in a injury.
Although there are many falls that do not result in injuries, a fall can cause a loss of confidence, an increased fear and restriction of activities, which can lead to a decline in health or be a precursor to a more serious fall to come. If a fall results in a serious injury, this can lead to a long term disability or even death. With or without injuries, a fall can precipitate a loss of independence and perhaps the need to enter along term care facility.
