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Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. Just last week, 93-year-old actress Zsa Zsa Gabor fell out of bed and broke her hip, ultimately she required hip replacement surgery. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) knows that a fall in the home can be both life threatening and debilitating. Older Americans and their caregivers can take a proactive approach using the following AAOS guidelines to help keep seniors fall and injury-free.

Tips for the Home:

• Eliminate all tripping hazards, such as loose rugs in the home.
• Install grab bars or handrails on both sides of the stairway and other safety devices near bathtubs and beds.
• Place a lamp or flashlight near the bed.
• Keep clutter – like pets’ toys or papers – off the bedroom floor.
• Replace satiny bed sheets with products made of non-slippery material; i.e. wool or cotton.
• Arrange furniture to allow a clear pathway between rooms.
• Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or slip-resistant backing.
• Keep stairs clear of packages, boxes or other clutter.
• Install light-switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. Or, try motion-detector lights that turn on automatically.
• Put non-slip treads on each bare-wood step.
• Consider adding rails to the bed to prevent the sleeping person from rolling off.
• Keep track of pets, as these creatures are responsible for more than 86,000 fall-related injuries each year.

Dress:

• Wear properly-fitting shoes or slippers with non-skid soles, throughout the home and especially on stairs.
• Replace slippers that have stretched out of shape and are too loose.
• Never walk with socks or stockings on hardwood floors.
• Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you cannot get up from a fall.

Watch the: 60 second television ad on falls prevention, Alone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2cfBBnt3Fo&feature=player_embedded

AAOS has more resources on falls:

• Guidelines for preventing falls
• Getting up from a fall
• Lifting techniques for caregivers

For more information on hip replacement surgery, visit http://www.bone-fix.com/ or call 239-368-8277.

Falls are a serious problem in Lee County. Falls are the most common cause of accidents in people over 65 years of age and the leading cause death to the injury. In fact, 94 people died in Lee County in 2008 due to falls. People living with orthopaedic conditions are especially at risk of falls and fall-related injuries.

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition is stepping up to help residents and their loved ones prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths through a community-wide campaign, appropriately named “Step WiseLee.”

Step Up and Do Your Part
Falls are not a normal part of aging. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they are more common among the elderly population and the leading cause of injury deaths. Hip fractures and head traumas are the most serious injuries resulting from falls. The CDC recommends taking the following steps to reduce the risk of falls:
• Remove throw rugs or use double-sided tape or non-stick pads under rugs
• Eliminate clutter in walkways such as cords, wires, shoes, clothes, books, etc.
• Keep items you regularly use within reach and stored safely in cabinets and drawers
• Have grab bars installed in showers, bathtubs, next to toilets and in hallways
• Use non-slip mats in bathtubs and shower floors
• Have handrails and lights installed on staircases
• Add nightlights in bathrooms and hallways
• Wear shoes both inside and outside the house and avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers
• Schedule an appointment annually to have your vision checked
• Encourage seniors to participate in regular exercise such as walking or water aerobics to maintain balance and muscle tone
• Have health care provider review medications

By working together, we can reduce the number of falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. For more information, visit www.StepWiseLee.com.

Falls are a serious problem in Lee County. Falls are the most common cause of accidents in people over 65 years of age and the leading cause death to the injury. In fact, 94 people died in Lee County in 2008 due to falls. People living with orthopaedic conditions are especially at risk of falls and fall-related injuries.

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition is stepping up to help residents and their loved ones prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths through a community-wide campaign, appropriately named “Step WiseLee.”

Step Up and Do Your Part

Falls are not a normal part of aging. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they are more common among the elderly population and the leading cause of injury deaths. Hip fractures and head traumas are the most serious injuries resulting from falls. The CDC recommends taking the following steps to reduce the risk of falls:

• Remove throw rugs or use double-sided tape or non-stick pads under rugs
• Eliminate clutter in walkways such as cords, wires, shoes, clothes, books, etc.
• Keep items you regularly use within reach and stored safely in cabinets and drawers
• Have grab bars installed in showers, bathtubs, next to toilets and in hallways
• Use non-slip mats in bathtubs and shower floors
• Have handrails and lights installed on staircases
• Add nightlights in bathrooms and hallways
• Wear shoes both inside and outside the house and avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers
• Schedule an appointment annually to have your vision checked
• Encourage seniors to participate in regular exercise such as walking or water aerobics to maintain balance and muscle tone
• Have health care provider review medications

By working together, we can reduce the number of falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. For more information, visit www.StepWiseLee.com.

Hip fractures are caused by a variety of factors that weaken bone and, often, are caused by the impact from a fall. The common characteristics of persons who are vulnerable to hip fractures are:

• Age: The rate increases for people 65 and older.
• Gender: Women have two to three times as many hip fractures as men.
• Heredity: A family history of fractures in later life, particularly in Caucasians and Asians. A small-boned, slender body.
• Nutrition: A low calcium dietary intake or reduced ability to absorb calcium.
• Personal habits: Smoking or excessive alcohol use.
• Physical impairments: Physical frailty, arthritis, unsteady balance and poor eyesight.
• Mental impairments: Senility, dementia, e.g., Alzheimer’s disease.
• Weakness or dizziness from side effects of medication.

Some tips for preventing hip fractures include the following:

• Be sure to include calcium and Vitamin D in your diet. Vitamin D plays a major role in calcium absorption and its incorporation in bone.
• Exercise to minimize bone loss. Your doctor can evaluate your physical condition and help you decide which activity suits you best.
• Eliminate smoking and excessive alcohol which can contribute to bone loss.
• Consult with your physician about medications that may alter your balance.
• Assess your home for potential fall risks and make changes to improve safety.
• Talk with your doctor to review your risk.

For more information, visit http://www.bone-fix.com/ or call 239-368-8277.