Windsor Essex County Health Unit
When a Trip is Not a Vacation: How to Prevent Falls
When you think of someone having a
fall, you might think of young children.
However, anyone can suffer a fall. If you have
a loved one over the age of 65, their risk of
falling can be much higher and the damage
caused by falling can have a significant
outcome on their health. In fact, falls are the
leading cause of serious injury among
Canadian seniors. The number of
fall-related emergency room visits in
Windsor and Essex County was the highest
among those over the age of 65.
Fall injuries can result in a lengthy
hospital stay, a disability or a change in
living arrangements (e.g., being transferred
to a nursing home.) They can also lead to a
decrease in confidence to perform daily
tasks, such as walking up and down stairs.
The good news is that most falls can be
prevented and there are many things you
can do to help an older loved one reduce
their risk of falling. The first step to
preventing falls is being able to identify the
warning signs that could increase
someone’s risk of falling.
6 Warning Signs of Falls:
(For individuals over 65 years of age)
Previous Falls: One fall in the past 6
months
Fear of Falling: Afraid that you will fall
Medications/Drugs: Using sedatives, fluid
pills, recreational drugs, blood pressure pills
or more than 4 medications.
Balance and Mobility: Any problems with
balance or unable to raise from a chair
Medical Conditions: For example, stroke or
Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, arthritis,
Help spread awareness
during
Falls Prevention Month
this November!
Visit
fallspreventionmonth.ca
to learn more about falls
prevention strategies
and download resources
to share with your loved
ones.
For further information
about falls prevention,
please contact the
Windsor-Essex County
Health Unit at
519-258-2146 ext. 3100
or contact the Falls
Prevention Mobile Clinic
(Windsor-Essex) to
make an appointment
for a risk screening
assessment 1-877-301-9790
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
Vision Problems: Blurred/double vision,
difficulty seeing steps or walking in dim
light
If two or more of the above warning
signs are present with an individual, they
may have an increased risk for falling and
they should speak to their health care
provider.
In addition to knowing the warning
signs that increase fall risk, the following
tips will help you identify safe practices to
reduce the risk of falling:
1. Slow down and take time to be safe.
2. Be physically active for a total of 30 to
60 minutes most days.
3. Have your vision and hearing checked
regularly.
4. Discuss your medication &
supplements with your doctor or
pharmacist.
5. Eat a healthy balanced diet, drink
plenty of water & limit your alcohol.
6. When walking outside, be aware of
your surroundings and watch where
you step.
7. Use safety equipment such as canes,
walkers, grab bars & rubber bath mats.
8. Wear non-slip shoes, boots & slippers
that fit well & seek treatment for foot
problems.
9. Use a night-light and keep a flashlight
by your bed.
10. Complete a home safety checklist.
Falls are preventable and we can all
play a role to help decrease the risk and
burden associated with falls.
Visit www.wechu.org to find more information about fall prevention
and other health concerns
6 The HUB -October 2016