Teaching exercise, strengthening as prevention
It is a bigger issue than seniors' driving: protecting older people (even over 55!) from falling
The statistic is shocking: Among people over 65, one in three falls each year. And, as Physical Therapist Mike Ritter points out, falling is not a normal part of aging. Falls account for 5.1 million injuries and nearly 6,000 deaths each year, and if they lead to a broken hip or a similar catastrophic injury, it results in long term, often expensive care.
Ritter, who works at the Centers at St. Camillus, says there's a renewed emphasis on home safety, and on learning exercises to improve both balance and strength. You can learn these at home, he says, but he also points out that to improve your efforts, you have to take some risks, and it's better to learn to do it safely. An example: if you're exercising, do it in a corner so you have something to catch onto (a wall or a counter) if you lose your balance, and put a chair in front of you, to protect the front, as well.
St. Camillus will be doing its Smart Steps program for ages 64 and older in the spring, and will offer free screenings around the community as part of the outreach. Their website also has tips on home safety to remove fall hazards and reduce the likelyhood of a fall-related injury.
