The elderly in our society should take to heart that their vulnerability in falling or accidentally slipping on the ground is lurking just around the corner.
Falls are the number one reason for hospital admissions among seniors these days; it’s also why older people lose their independence.
Well, the increased number of the elderly admitted to hospitals is understandable since these former baby boomers born in 1946-1964 are now seniors; they have passed their blooms.
They are now suffering from weak leg muscles, a significant reason for falling, their poor balance, which could be the effects of medications, and even symptoms of depression such as not feeling well could cause them to fall.
These are times when seniors lack the drive to exercise, wear improper footwear, and lack vitamin D.
Knowing what causes this fall is an excellent way to prevent this kind of accident; we have to remember that in case of some broken bones brought about by a fall, their healing would take a long time, notwithstanding the operation that could go with it.
A few days ago, a good friend from the Philippines told me his wife had recently fallen, breaking her hip bones. The family is facing a dilemma if they would proceed with the operation or not because of the patient’s age now; she’s in her 80s.
The doctor had warned them the patient might not be able to endure the rigours of the operation. But seeing her bedridden, unable to stand up or even sit, the family might decide to proceed with the procedure and take some chances.
I recently finished attending a free, once-in-a-week, four-week program on Falls Prevention sponsored by the East GTA Family Health Team.
Mina Choi, an Occupational Therapist, says in a letter, “The Falls Prevention Group is educational in nature, with guest speakers (occupational therapist, pharmacist, nurse and dietician), and weekly exercise instruction with a physiotherapist.”
This group session is entirely free, and the two-hour session once a week is an excellent way to learn lots of information to prevent falls; as they say, with the knowledge of fall prevention, we are forearmed and forewarned,
What’s great about this group session, only a handful of seniors were allowed in a room where Alice Lui, the physiotherapist, conducted the instructions and provided hands-on exercises right there and then.
During the session, these health professionals will discuss some of the causes of falls, like anemia can cause dizziness, muscle weakness, dehydration can cause loss of balance, and the body needs vitamin D to keep muscles and bones strong.
In that 4-week session, I’ve learned some valuable and practical applications on how to avoid chances of falling: not rushing in going to the washroom in the middle of the night, installing grab bars by the tub and toilet, non-slip flooring in the bathroom, lighting the stairs, repairing holes, or uneven joints in walking surfaces, wearing non-slip footwear, avoiding too much bending, and lifting,
In short, this program is about learning to make our surrounding safe, staying active, identifying the risk factors, and knowing that falls are a preventable and not regular part of aging.
The GTA brochure says, “Our family Health team offers targeted programs and services, in multiple languages, to diagnose and treat acute and some chronic conditions. We also offer comprehensive prevention and education programs to address health behaviours and conditions to achieve and maintain good health.”
My fellow seniors, if you think you are at risk for falls, call East GTA Family Health Team at 647-693-74 or email them at www.egtafht.ca.
Remember the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.