September is National Fall Prevention month. Why is preventing falls so important? Well, for us in Florida, it’s the leading cause of non-fatal injury related hospital admissions. And among those 65 and older, unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in Florida. That’s a staggering fact, enough to make us fall down! But let’s see what we can do to prevent that.
Most falls result from three main risk factors:
- Physical: Changes in your body that can increase your risk
- Behavioral: Things we do or don’t do that increase your risk
- Environmental : Hazards in our home or community
Many of these risk factors can be changed. Pick one to tackle!
- Physical inactivity
- Home Environment
- Vision
- Medication Use
- Fear of falling
- Social Isolation
- Weakness
- Improper use of assistive devices
Things we can’t change:
- Age
- Gender
- Background
So what can you do to prevent a fall?
- Exercise to improve your balance
- Have your doctor of pharmacist review your medications
- Have your vision checked
- Make your home safer
At Assisting Hands, we provide a free home safety inspection with every initial assessment. We check for fall hazards in your home and make recommendations to help make your home a safer environment.
Assisting Hands owner, Becky Moultrie, was pleased to present these and other tips to the Pinellas Park Senior Center this past week during the monthly Lunch and Learn. To find out more about ways you can Age in Place and live safely and independently at home, contact Assisting Hands for a free in home consultation today.
https://www.ncoa.org/resources/falls-prevention-profile-florida/
https://www.ncoa.org/resources/fall-prevention-powerpoint-presentation/
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
