Preventing a fall isn’t just an older person’s problem
By Alexandra Newman
We’ve all taken a tumble.
Maybe we’ve slid on the ice, tripped over a pet begging for attention under our feet, caught our foot on an uneven piece of sidewalk, or leaned a little too far for something out of reach.
It can lead to bruises, scrapes and bumps, but usually we’re OK.
As we get older, a fall is more likely to result in a serious injury. And even the fear of falling can affect confidence, independence, and overall health.
So how can we all work together to prevent falls?
Sept. 21-25 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week, but we here at Area Agency on Aging (AAA) are celebrating Falls Prevention all month long.
Falling is not a normal part of aging. You can prevent falls by doing the right exercises, making your home safer, getting regular health checkups, wearing the right footwear, and having the right equipment on hand.
Having this awareness is important for all ages. My mom only just turned 60, but the medication she takes for her arthritis can make her dizzy. She’s set her Alexa devices in her home to call for help if she were to fall.
A few of my AAA team members and I were having a conversation recently about a display for an event. Using an area rug was mentioned but was quickly changed because we didn’t want anyone to trip.
Once you have this foundational awareness about falling, then more in-depth education can be a great next step.
We here at AAA offer an 8-week course, A Matter of Balance, designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants learn how to view falls as controllable; set goals for increasing activity; make changes to reduce fall risks at home; and exercise to increase strength and balance.
A Matter of Balance is so popular that there is a waitlist for the next community offering. If you’re a member of the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, there are still spots available for the class starting Oct. 6.
We’re always looking for additional volunteer instructors, so we’re able to offer the class more often. If you’re interested in being a part of local fall prevention efforts, reach out to AAA Education Coordinator Julie Schwarz at 269-982-7759 or julieschwarz@areaagencyonaging.org.
Maybe you’re caring for a friend or loved one and are worried about them falling. If you’ve never explored Trualta, our free online caregiver education platform, you can find a plethora of resources about falls prevention on there, including articles, videos, and forums where people share their own experiences. Log in, create a free account, and search for “falls” at https://rivaaa.trualta.com/home.
After awareness and education there’s action and preparation.
Last year, our MI Choice Waiver program, an alternative to nursing home care for adults 18+ who qualify, implemented a plan to lessen falls among our clients.
Community Health Workers completed falls assessments with each client, reviewing the medications they take, looking for trip hazards in the home, and discussing safe ways to do daily activities that could cause a fall.
By working with each client and their unique circumstances, falls among our clients decreased significantly, and when they did happen, they were more prepared.
Preparedness can look like having a fall button or other emergency alert system on their person at all times. Area Agency on Aging’s Information & Access team can help you learn more about fall alert options for you and your loved ones.
It can also look like knowing what position to get yourself into after falling to prevent further damage, or having grab bars, walkers, canes, a reacher tool or other assistive equipment available when needed.
Many older adults worry about falling, which research shows can lead to social isolation and lower quality of life. We all want to stay healthy and independent as we get older. One of the best ways to do that is to understand ours and our loved ones risk for a fall. Falls prevention is a community responsibility.
You can take the Falls Free CheckUp and explore other resources on our website, https://areaagencyonaging.org/falls-prevention/. Want to talk to someone about your options? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810.
The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.