| Preventing Falls for the Elderly*
More adults 65 and older die from fall-related injuries each year than from any other kind of injury, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent report from the CDC found that one in three older adults requires hospitalization for a fall each year, with a broken hip being the most common and serious injury. "Hip fractures can really mark the beginning of the end for seniors," said Judy Stevens, a CDC epidemiologist. "It can lead quickly to decline and death."
Here are some helpful suggestions for reducing fall-related injuries in the home.
· Place all lamp, extension, and telephone cords out of the flow of traffic. · Make sure all small rugs and runners are slip-resistant. · Make sure that there is access to a telephone if you fall, or experience some other emergency, which prevents you from standing or reaching a wall phone. · Place small stoves and heaters where they cannot be knocked over, and away from furnishings and flammable materials, such as curtains or rugs. · Have your clothes properly altered, so that you cannot trip on a pant leg or gown bottom. · Make sure that hallways, stairways, passageways between rooms, and other heavy traffic areas are well lit. · Clear exits and passageways, so that there is nothing to stumble over. · Equip your bathtubs and showers with non-skid mats, abrasive strips, or other surfaces that are not slippery. · Install at least one, but preferably two, grab bars in your bathtubs and showers. · Make sure that the steps in your stairway allow for secure footing, and that the coverings on the steps are in good condition. · Be sure that you can clearly see the edges of the steps, and do not store anything on the stairway, even temporarily. · Use a sturdy, step stool to reach high shelves. Never stand on chairs, boxes or other makeshift items *.http://www.securityworld.com/ia-228-preventing-falls-for-the-elderly.aspx
We here at Personal Senior Monitor are dedicated to supplying you the most efficient and least costly method to help you keep your independence. Everyone needs the peace of mind knowing that you will be able to get help in a crisis. We can make that happen with a elderly monitor from Personal Senior Monitor. Please check out all the information on this site. |