Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

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The Pinecone | April 2016 • 5 •
F A L L I NG
Minimize the Risk of
Protect yourself by following these
fall prevention recommendations. Be
proactive and remove potential
hazards.
Tak i ng Precaut ions
Many individuals do not realize how many fall hazards can
be found in the common household until something hap-
pens. It can be as simple as tripping over a rug or an exten-
sion cord or slipping in the shower or on the bathroom floor
when getting out of the shower.
If you wish to minimize the risk of falling, you must con-
sider taking a look at your environment in order to provide
a safe and secure living environment for your loved ones.
Here’s an alarming statistic: nearly one in three seniors suf-
fers from serious elderly falls at least once every year. It
should also be mentioned that nearly half the seniors who
suffer from a serious fracture, such as a hip, pelvic or spi-
nal fracture, never completely recover from the injury. Add
to that medical complications created through immobility
or bed-ridden conditions and almost 25% die within six
months to a year following such an injury.
Can such statistics be reduced? Yes. Fall Prevention, with
diligence and attention, such risks to seniors may be allevi-
ated or even prevented.
Check Your Home or Apartment for:
Loose rugs – Make sure rugs are tacked down to the floor
or purchase non-skid rugs. Better yet, get rid of the throw or
area rugs. Rugs are a primary cause of falls for the elderly.
Too large or too much furniture – Do you have to be
an acrobat to get around your living room? Are decorative
vases or statues or knick-knacks scattered throughout the
home? Consider moving items around to allow a minimum
of 30-36 inches of clear floor space in all the routes that you
travel in your home.
Lighting – Are the lights too dim for you to see properly? Is
there glare coming in from outside which makes it hard to
see or judge distance. If so, consider having a home safety
assessment completed. Please contact Jason Sparrow OTD,
OTR/L at 901-366-1819 to discuss what needs to be done to
have a home safety assessment.
Being prepared means minimizing your risk of fall or injury
and staying safer longer.
References – www.cdc.gov/Features/OlderAmericans/
depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358