Fall Prevention Awareness

September 23rd, the first day of fall, is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. According to the National Council on Aging, every 13 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency room after a fall. Many falls are preventable. Keep in mind the following tips:

Six Steps to Prevent a Fall

Build balance, strength & flexibility – Exercises that improve balance and make your legs stronger lower your chances of falling. It also helps you feel better. Try something like yoga or Tai Chi for this type of strengthening. You could also ask your doctor or health care provider about the best type of exercise program for you.
Assess your risk of falling – Talk with your healthcare provider and share your history of any recent falls with them. Take this risk assessment prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) STEADI program – https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/STEADI-Brochure-StayIndependent-508.pdf
Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist – Take medications only as prescribed and make sure side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling.
Get your vision & hearing checked annually – Your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet.
Keep your home safe – Remove tripping hazards and clutter, increase lighting, make stairs safe and install grab bars in key places. Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers. Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach without a step stool.
Talk to you family members – Ask for their support in taking these simple steps to stay safe. If a fall happens, it becomes a family issue, so be sure to talk with family members and friends about what you’re doing to prevent falling. If you do fall, be sure to let your family and physician know.

Please refer to this fall prevention checklist from the CDC – http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/check_for_safety_brochure-a.pdf.

While falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for those 65 years of age and older, they are not an inevitable part of aging. At Kadan Homecare, our skilled caregivers are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for seniors and other individuals in need of professional assistance.

For more information about FPAD, please visit www.ncoa.org/fallsprevention. To learn more about Kadan Homecare, please go to www.kadan.org.

Dina Kadan White2021-02-28T13:49:43+00:00September 23rd, 2015|

About the Author: Dina Kadan White

As Vice President of Kadan Homecare, White oversees the day-to-to day operations and assists with strategic planning for company. White has worked with Kadan full-time for the past 11 years, although she has been engaged with the family-run firm at some level for most of her adult life. Prior to joining Kadan, White served as Director of Product Development at Equifax and previously was a Marketing Director with Wachovia. These jobs prepared her well for a position where she works for the benefit of all aspects of this highly client-focused agency. White holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a member of the National Private Duty Association, a membership organization for firms whose homecare model is to employ, train, monitor and supervise caregivers, create a plan of care for the client and work toward a safe and secure environment for the person at home. White is also a member of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.