Fall prevention has become more and more common in today’s culture, and the statistics speak for themselves. More than 1/3 of the population over 65 falls each year. Every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Falls are the cause of the most fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.
How do we make it stop?
It’s important to understand the risk for fall and ways to prevent it. By implementing the following fall prevention strategies, you can prevent a fall for yourself or a loved one:
- Maintain clear walkways and stairways
- Use nonslip mats in shower and bathtub
- Use adhesive to keep the rug down and slip-proof
- Add handrails to all staircases
- Keep house well lit at all times, including staircases
It is also a good idea to have an annual balance screening completed at a balance center like Michigan Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers. Balance centers such as this will often times have a suspended track system. This system allows a patient to rehabilitate quicker while improving their overall balance. It offers a safe atmosphere for balance and gait training. It does so, by reducing the fear of falling because the person is in a harness the entire length of treatment. The safety harness can be used from the standing or seating position. It allows the person to practice natural movements and does not require strenuous upper body strength as when using parallel bars. It makes falls a thing of the past. Whether a disease process, injury, or after surgery, the S.O.S. can help avoid fear, injury, increased time in therapy, and poorer outcomes.
“It makes falls a thing of the past.”
Patients that can benefit from the S.O.S. include:
- Back Surgery
- Total Hip Replacement
- Total Knee Replacement
- Amputees
- Decrease Leg Strength
- Head Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Dizziness/Fall Risk Seniors
- Strokes
- Parkinson’s
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s
If you or someone you know has experienced or is at risk for a fall, it is important to contact a balance center to have a balance screening completed. Michigan Fyzical Therapy can be reached by calling (616) 994-2770 or by filling out the simple form below: