First of two free programs to take place at South Bay Hospital on Thursday, Sept. 21.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Robin Watt, falls prevention coordinator and an EMT with the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, reminds area residents that although potentially fatal or disabling, falls can be prevented. To learn more, attend a free seminar on the subject at 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at the squad’s training facility, 124 Pebble Beach Blvd. S. Light refreshments will be served.
By LOIS KINDLE
Fall Prevention Awareness Day is Sept. 22, and the Sun City Center Emergency Squad has come up with a formula to help area residents stay on their feet.
According to the National Council on Aging, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.” One in four Americans over age 65 falls each year, and for the most part, it could have been prevented.
“The older you are, the more likely a fall will result in injury,” said Robin Watt, fall prevention coordinator and emergency medical technician for the squad. “But falling doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of aging. There are things people can do to reduce their chances of becoming a fall statistic.”
Risk factors include balance issues due to inactivity and/or physical limitations; use of medications or mixing medications that cause dizziness; dehydration; improper footwear; and clutter.
The coalition has come up with a formula to help folks reduce their risks: BMWs-C = NO FALLS, which stands for Balance, Medications and Water minus Clutter.
Here’s how it works:
• To improve balance, keep active. There are many simple exercises you can do at home. Visit http://bit.ly/2w1zLxX or one of any number of websites for tips and exercises on improving balance and coordination; join a SilverSneakers program or take a dance, tai chi or yoga class; seek physical therapy, if needed.
“Doing balance exercises or any activity that challenges your balance 10 minutes a day decreases your chance of falling by 62 percent,” said Linda Eargle, a doctor of physical therapy who teaches classes at the University of South Florida. “It’s amazing how little changes in activity can make a difference in keeping you upright.”
• Inform your doctor(s) about every medication you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
• Drink eight glasses of water per day. Soft drinks, coffee and tea don’t count. Dehydration causes dizziness and when dizzy, people tend to fall.
“As we get older, our sense of thirst diminishes, and many seniors are chronically dehydrated,” Watt said. “Dehydration (which leads to dizziness) is a major factor in falling. Staying hydrated is critical.”
• Wear low-heeled, sturdy shoes with non-skid soles that fit properly and allow you to feel the surface beneath them. Any shoes that come off easily are fall hazards, including slippers, flip flops and many sandals.
“Wearing socks with skid guards also can help,” Eargle said.
• Remove clutter, anything you could slip on or trip over from your floor, such as throw rugs, electrical cords, loose carpet, or pet toys.
One out of five falls results in serious injury, Watt said, and she and her fellow squad members see many.
“Last year, 38.8 percent of the calls we responded to were related to falls,” she said. “And year to date, that number is 41.4.”
If you’d like to learn more about falling and what you can do to prevent it, check out one of these upcoming free programs:
• South Bay Hospital and Brandon Regional Hospital, Take a Stand Against Falls, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 21, at Trinity Baptist Church, 702 Del Webb Blvd. W., Sun City Center. Topics will include Stopping Falls Before They Happen; Got Balance? Better Methods to Prevent Falling; AFib and Falling Concerns; and Medication’s Role in Fall Injuries. Lunch is included with registration. Call 888-685-1595.
• Sun City Center Emergency Squad, Fall Prevention, 3 p.m. Sept. 27, at its training facility, 124 Pebble Beach Blvd. S. Light refreshments will be served.
For further information, visit www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures.
