Thursday, March 15, 2012

Stay Safe - Prevent Falls!

Hello everyone! Recently when I was biking with my best friend in Austin I kept having flashbacks to a time when I was much younger and suffered a severe fall off my bicycle.  The incident happened over 30 years ago, but to this day I am still traumatized by the memory of the severity of the injuries I suffered. As we all get older we become more prone to accidental falls. This is especially disconcerting because it leads to decreased mobility, restrictions in our lifestyle and dependence on others for our everyday needs. We can do many things to protect ourselves from becoming victims of an accident.  According to research, the risk of a hip fracture doubles every five to six years after the age of 50. Hip fractures are one of the most disabling fall-related injuries. My own sweet mother never recovered from a hip fracture and passed away after surgery to repair her injury. This makes this topic very personal for me and makes me hyper-aware of being safe in my day to day activities. Older people are more prone to falls for a number of reasons. Many times  our reaction time is slower and our sense of balance declines. Age related vision problems such as cataracts and glaucoma could also lead to falls. This is exactly what caused my own mother's injury. Illnesses such as high blood pressure, stroke or arthritis can lead to balance problems. Inactivity is another real problem which could be directly tied to injuries from falling. If you don't stay active, you lose some of your muscle conditioning and your stamina is greatly affected. Prevention is obviously the key to staying safe, so I would like to share with you some pointers to follow to ensure you do your best to prevent falls.  Here are some tips for staying on your feet:
  • Exercise! It can build muscle tone, improve your balance and strengthen your bones.
  • Have your vision and hearing checked routinely.
  • Talk to you physician about side effects of drugs you may be taking. Be aware of those that may cause drowsiness and loss of coordination.
  • Make your home safer. Clear all your walking paths to avoid clutter which may be a tripping hazard.
  • Limit your alcohol intake. This may affect your balance and slow your reaction time.
  • When out walking, be cautious of the road in front of you. Make sure the path is even and clear of debris such as branches and rocks.
  • Be especially cautious when walking outdoors in wet or icy conditions. Use salt or sand on sidewalks, steps and driveways.
  • Always wear shoes that give you good support and have non-slip soles.
  • Keep things close at hand, avoid climbing a step stool to reach items.
Have fun, stay active, get lots of exercise! The goal is to enjoy life while avoiding injuries!
Have a wonderful Friday and a beautiful, healthy weekend!

2 comments:

  1. Great read! You always post interesting things!

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    1. Thank you! Feels great to know someone is benefiting from my work!

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