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State Representative Jim Buchy
Preventing
Falls This Winter
Did you know that falls are the number one cause of injury-related
hospitalization and death among people 65 and older? Many of us did not
worry about the risk of falling when we were young. We knew that if we
fell, we’d get up with the assumption that the aches and pains were
temporary.
But for those of us at a higher risk, such as elders, pregnant women,
or those already suffering from a previous injury, a fall can be a
life-altering event.
For seniors like me, the effects of a fall can take away our
independence in our everyday lives. It can cause us to suffer in our
physical and emotional health. Seeing as this problem not only affects
the individual, but those around them as well, fall prevention should
be a group effort. Individuals, families and businesses alike all need
to do what we can to lower the risk of falls at home and in public
places.
The simplest step one can take is to know which risk factors to look
for. The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that
fall risks include advanced age, history of previous falls, muscle
weakness, gait and balance problems, poor vision, chronic medical
conditions like arthritis, and fear of falling. Others include
obstacles and tripping hazards, slippery or uneven surfaces, lack of
stair handrails, dim lighting or glare, lack of bathroom grab bars, use
of certain medications, and improper use of assistive devices like
walkers or canes.
Specific steps managers of public buildings can consider include
putting signs up to warn customers about areas in their store that are
more susceptible to falls and to make sure that there are no
obstructions in the aisles that people could trip on. Outside the
building, managers should consider making sure that the entrance is
free of ice and snow so that people don’t slip on the way in. Business
owners should consider advising employees to always make sure that they
offer help to customers, especially to the elderly or disabled
customers.
However, the responsibility of prevention does not only lie with
business owners or caregivers, but the individual at risk as well.
You can work to prevent falls by following some simple, common-sense
steps. Some of these steps include getting hearing and vision checks
each year, removing fall hazards around your living space, and letting
someone know if you do fall. Even if you’re not hurt, it’s important to
tell someone, especially an employee if you’re in a store, so they can
correct the problem. To learn more about preventing falls you can visit
www.steadyu.ohio.gov.
Steady U is part of an effort by Governor Kasich and the Ohio
Department of Aging to increase awareness about the hazards of falling.
The website is a valuable resource for all of my fellow elders and
their caregivers concerned about the risks of falling.
We all have the power to reduce the risk of falling. It may require
some added diligence in our day-to-day routine, but this extra effort
is worthwhile when weighed against the cost of an unfortunate fall.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyjanuary2015.
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