26 JULY 21 - JULY 27, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP
Accidental falls are leading cause of
injury and death in older Americans
About a third of people who are
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65 years of age and older will
be involved in an accidental
fall this year that diminishes their
quality of life. That number increases
the older a person gets.
“Falls are complex and happen for
a variety of reasons,” said Rebecca
Parker, MD, FACEP, president of the
American College of Emergency Physicians.
“But there are common steps
that can be taken right now to greatly
decrease your risk of falling for the
fi rst time, including those who have
fallen multiple times.”
Emergency physicians have created
a video designed to give people who
have fallen in the past — especially
the more vulnerable elderly population
— easy steps to avoid future falls.
It’s called the “7 Step Fall Challenge.”
Emergency physicians are confi dent
that by following these steps, you will
greatly decrease your risk of falling,
especially repeat falling.
Step 1: Strength and Balance — Focus
on improving strength and balance
by exercising regularly. Several
options include Tai Chi, Yoga and other
exercises that improve fl exibility
and endurance.
Step 2: Home Safety — Over half
of falls occur in homes. Remove trip
hazards, like boxes and furniture,
from heavy tra c areas. Create a wide
pathway between rooms.
Make sure loose carpets and rugs
are secure and that cords are taped
down or removed. Never stand on
chairs or stools to reach for items.
Install safety rails in bathrooms and
night lights in hallways, bedrooms
and bathrooms.
Step 3: Medication — Many medications
can make you feel lightheaded,
dizzy or sleepy, which can increase
your risk of falling. If you have these
side e ects from certain medications,
work with your doctor or pharmacist
to fi nd other options that might be
available.
Step 4: Vision — As we age, our
vision changes. It may become more
di cult to see things. Get your eyes
checked every year.
Step 5: Dehydration — Dehydration
can lead to dizziness and confusion.
O en, we don’t drink as much water
as we need. Unless you are told otherwise
by a doctor, try to drink six to
eight glasses of water a day.
Step 6: Feet and Footwear — Supportive
footwear is extremely important
for preventing falls. Poor-fi tting
shoes, clogs, fl ip-fl ops and heels will
increase your risk of falling.
Always wear supportive and comfortable
shoes while walking. Talk to
your doctor about seeing a podiatrist,
or foot doctor, especially if you have
decreased feeling in your feet from
diabetes or other medical conditions.
Step 7: What to Do If You Fall — If
you start to fall, try to relax your body
to reduce the impact. Tuck your chin
to protect your head and roll as you
land to spread out the force of the fall.
Stay calm and do not try to get up too
quickly.
Always keep a mobile or cordless
phone with emergency numbers within
easy reach. If you’ve fallen before,
talk to your doctor about getting a
fall alert system. This is a bracelet or
necklace that will alert local emergency
medical services, or EMS, if you fall.
Once a person has fallen once, his
or her risk of falling again is twice as
high. For more information, please
watch this video and share it with
those you believe are at greatest risk
of falling.
ACEP is the national medical specialty
society representing emergency medicine.
ACEP is committed to advancing
emergency care through continuing education,
research and public education.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP
has 53 chapters representing each state,
as well as Puerto Rico and the District
of Columbia. A Government Services
Chapter represents emergency physicians
employed by military branches
and other government agencies.
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