Falls Prevention Awareness Day
Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, one in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. In 2015, the total cost of fall injuries was $50 billion, with Medicare and Medicaid covering approximately 75% of these costs.
September 23rd is Falls Prevention Awareness Day - A day to spread awareness about falling and how to reduce your risk.
What is Falls Prevention Awareness Day?
Falling is not a normal part of aging. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) utilizes Falls Prevention Awareness Day as a way to promote awareness of this fact. Additionally, September 21st through the 25th is Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
How To Reduce Your Risk of Falls
Below are some helpful tips for how you can reduce your risk of falling, provided by the NCOA:
Find a good balance and exercise program. Specifically, a program that builds balance, strength, and flexibility.
Talk with your healthcare provider. Ask your healthcare provider to assess your risk of falling.
Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Make sure the side effects of your medications are not increasing your risk of falling.
Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses. Your eyes and ears help keep you on your feet.
Keep your home safe. Remove tripping hazards, increase lighting, and install grab bars where necessary.
Talk with your family members. Enlist the support of your family to help prevent falls.
Technology Can Help
Assistive technology solutions can help you live independently while promoting safety. At SimplyHome we offer multiple solutions, which include some of the following:
Environmental Controls: With our Environmental Controls, individuals with limited mobility can safely operate their home environment. Using touch or switch controls, individuals can use a tablet or other smart device to remotely manage lights, doors, TVs, the thermostat, and more. Environmental Controls open doors to greater independence, privacy, and safety.
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS): With the push of a button, our PERS device notifies the 24/7 Response Center that you need assistance. Get help by pressing the button on the pendant (available to wear on the wrist or as a necklace), or the “Help” button on the base unit.
SimplyHome System and Sensors: By communicating with multiple sensors to observe activities of daily living, the SimplyHome System prompts the completion of daily routines and proactively alerts caregivers with texts or email alerts if assistance is needed. The SimplyHome System can communicate with motion sensors, bed and chair sensors, and water sensors to notify a caregiver if there are any concerns (i.e. water detected on the floor of the bathroom) or changes in the activity of the individual in the home (i.e. individual got out of their bed, but did not return to their bed as routinely expected).
Whether you or a loved one are looking to reduce the risk of falls, increase safety, or become more independent, we can help.