Emily Zayshlyy, D.O.: Winter isn't the only time of year to practice fall safety
As the snow begins to fall, it is the perfect time for us all to be reminded about fall risks and fall prevention
Snow on the ground presents an additional risk for falls. However, if you practice fall safety year-round, winter weather will be less likely to cause you trouble.
More than 50% of trauma patients treated each year are those that have been injured from a fall. According to the American Trauma Society, falls result in more than 2.5 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including more than 734,000 hospitalizations and 21,700 deaths.
Falls threaten senior citizens’ safety and independence, and generate enormous economic and personal costs. However, falling is not an inevitable result of aging.
Through practical lifestyle adjustments and participating in falls prevention programs, the number of falls substantially reduced.
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Some of the simple things that can be done to reduce falls include:
Participate in regular physical activity for improved balance and coordination.
Make your home safer by removing things you might trip over (throw rugs, books, cords, shoes).
Review your medications with your healthcare provider. Some might make you feel dizzy or sleepy.
Have your vision checked at least once a year. Poor vision can increase your chance of falling.
Because of the pandemic, we know that senior citizens are experiencing a decline in both physical and social activity for extended periods. This inactivity puts them at higher risk for unintended falls and can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, fear, anxiety and sadness.
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Seeking to meet the needs for the seniors in our community, a program was created, in collaboration with the Erie County Department of Health and WQLN, called Active Elders.
This one-hour program, which can be found online at WQLN.org, presents exercises that can be performed at home to stay healthy and prevent falls. It also provides tips on mental wellness while isolated at home.
Senior fall prevention classes are also valuable through many health-care systems. More information on fall prevention can be found at the American Trauma Society’s website, www.amtrauma.org.
Emily Zayshlyy, D.O., is a trauma surgeon at UPMC Hamot.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Emily Zayshlyy, D.O.: Tips for preventing falls for senior citizens
