FITNESS A KEY TO FALL PREVENTION IN SENIORSSubmitted By Carol Tomlinson RN BS, Littauer’s Community Health Educator |
Older adults fall for a variety of reasons. Like young people, sometimes they just slip on something. But according to Dr. J. Lesene, a geriatric specialist at Atlanta’s Emory University, many falls are associated with conditions of aging such as vision loss, deterioration of the inner ear, and other changes that affect balance. A loss of strength prevents some seniors from recovering from a stumble and many fall when they first stand up.
Falling is the 14th leading cause of death and a primary cause of disability in seniors, according to the Centers For Disease Control. The death rate due to falling has risen dramatically - 45% in men and 60% in women since the 1990’s. The CDC also looked at non-fatal falls and those, too, have been increasing as the population ages.
However, on a positive note, researchers have also found that women’s hip fracture injury rates have dropped significantly in recent years. According to the CDC, this is most likely due to increases in bone density screening and osteoporosis treatments.
Keeping active is one of the keys to fall prevention. According to Dr. Robert Butler, former Director of the National Institute on Aging, "If exercise could be packaged into a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation."
You don’t have to go to a gym to exercise. Walking, gardening and simple household chores are all physical activities that keep you moving, active and fit. Major benefits of staying active include, but are not limited to:
There are many ways to exercise. At HealthLink Littauer, we offer monthly hiking/snowshoeing programs; ongoing classes by certified instructors in such activities as yoga, tai chi chuan, and the less strenuous - tai chi chih; and an eight-week arthritis exercise program specifically designed for people with joint and/or muscle problems that limit mobility. As always, you should check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
Although prevention is key, we all know that life is unpredictable. An unexpected fall could threaten your future health and life if help is delayed! That’s when another service of Nathan Littauer can be a lifesaver - Lifeline Littauer. Lifeline is an easy-to-use, personal emergency response service that ensures older adults living at home get quick assistance whenever it is needed—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information, contact Lifeline Littauer at 773-5507, or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our Wellness Center in the Johnstown Mall, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home!
HealthLink is located in the Johnstown Mall (formerly Pyramid Mall) on Route 30A in Johnstown. The office is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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HealthLink |
Phone: (518) 736-1120 |
Call (518) 736-1120 with your thoughts for scheduling information.