Towson, MD -- (SBWire) -- 10/07/2011 --The first day of fall traditionally marks Fall Prevention Awareness. One out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year, but less than half of those seniors talk with their healthcare providers about it. Falls have become a nationwide health problem - a problem that is largely preventable. That’s why Senior Helpers, one of the leading in-home care providers for seniors in the nation, has highly trained caregivers who can help spot danger zones in and around seniors’ homes and can help seniors move around their environment more carefully.
“Up to 30 percent of those who fall suffer injuries such as hip fractures or head traumas,” says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Those types of injuries not only make it hard for seniors to live independently, but those injuries can sometimes be fatal. Our caregivers are there to provide families with the comfort that someone is watching over their senior loved one and helping make sure they’re living in a safe environment.”
Fall Prevention with Senior Helpers’ Caregivers:
• Exercise Regularly – caregivers help choose activities that increase leg strength and improve balance in seniors, such as Tai Chi.
• Eye Check-ups – caregivers make sure senior loved ones have their eyes checked by a doctor at least once a year and have their eyeglasses updated as needed. A good tip: consider getting a pair with single vision distance lenses for activities such as walking outside.
• Safety Proof the Home – caregivers reduce tripping hazards in the home, make sure grab bars are installed in the tub/shower and next to the toilet, ensure stair railings are installed, and improve lighting throughout the home.
• Review Medications – caregivers have a doctor or pharmacist review medications/prescriptions to let them know what may cause side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness.
“When seniors fall, they usually develop a fear of falling, even if they’re not injured,” says Ross. “That fear can easily turn into a senior choosing to limit their physical activity which in turn increases their risk of falling again. That’s where our caregivers come in; they help to prevent falls and help seniors cope with fall-related fears they may already have.”
Did You Know?
• In 2008, 82% of fall deaths were among people 65 and older.
• In 2008, more than 19,700 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries.
• Fall-related fractures occur more than twice the rate for older women than for older men.
• More than 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls. And white women have significantly higher hip fracture rates than black women.
• Direct medical costs of falls equaled $28.2 billion last year alone.
This story affects all seniors and their families in your area. Help us spread the word about Fall Prevention Awareness and our tips to keep seniors safe. We are happy to set-up local interviews and provide photos/video to move this story forward for your readers/viewers.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
About Senior Helpers
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 300 franchises in 39 states and one in Canada offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. For more information, please visit http://www.seniorhelpers.com.
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