How to Prevent a Fall

HOW TO PREVENT A FALL * TIPS 3 Keep walkways as clear as possible, and be sure pets are not frequently under-foot. Handrails on both sides of stairs. Improve the lighting in your home. SENIOR SAFETY TIPS Install and maintain at least one smoke detector on each floor of the home. Make sure the home doesn't have extension cords or long cables in walking paths. Staying safe around the house is important for every one, but especially for seniors, who may be facing health problems and limited mobility. And as the American population continues to age, in-home safety will continue to be of vital importance. About one-third of older Americans (those 65 and up) will suffer a fall this year; the sooner the person is found, the greater the chance of survival. 9 Use slip-resistant carpets and rugs. 4 Keep ash trays, lighters and other fire sources 10 Ask your doctor to review your medication to identify any side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Time incapacitated Percentage found alive <1 hour 1-3 hours 3-6 hours 92% 47% 25% (heaters, hot plates, teapots) away from beds and bedding. 10 6-12 hours 22% 33% 14% 12% 13% 12 12-24 hours 24-48 hours 48-72 hours 72 hours-plus Fifty percent of people who fall need assistance Place grab bars and non-slip mats in bathtub. to get up. Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind for seniors and their 5 Cooking-related accidents are the leading case of fire injuries for older Americans. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire. 12 Turn water heater temperature to 120 degrees to help prevent scalding. families. 13 Heating equipment is blamed for many fires in the homes of elderly people. Exercise caution when using space heaters or wood stoves. Have at least one phone where it would be accessible in the event of People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. an accident. Consider a cordless phone, but make sure you keep it charged and keep it with you. Brought to you by About 30% of older Americans Medical Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your eyeglass prescription. Consider single-vision distance lenses for some activities, such as outdoor walking. Giardlan who aren't institutionalized live alone. 1 of every 2 Medical Alert Systems women 75 and older live alone. 1-800-668-9200 www.medicalguardian.com 1 out of 3 older adults falls each year. In 2008, more than 19,700 older Americans died from unintentional fall injuries. Now: 1 in 8 eight SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.medicalalarmjournal.com/Senior-Statistics.html - http://www.epill.com/falls1.html - http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm http://www.klsecurity.com/elderly_fire_safety.htm - http://tendereldercare.com/top-4-ways-tips-for-elderly-home-safety-in-your-home.html Americans is 65 or Exercise regularly. Gentle movement is best for older people, so consider Tai Chi or similar programs. U.S. Administration on Aging - World Bank older. By 2030: Itll be almost 1 in 5. HOW TO PREVENT A FALL * TIPS 3 Keep walkways as clear as possible, and be sure pets are not frequently under-foot. Handrails on both sides of stairs. Improve the lighting in your home. SENIOR SAFETY TIPS Install and maintain at least one smoke detector on each floor of the home. Make sure the home doesn't have extension cords or long cables in walking paths. Staying safe around the house is important for every one, but especially for seniors, who may be facing health problems and limited mobility. And as the American population continues to age, in-home safety will continue to be of vital importance. About one-third of older Americans (those 65 and up) will suffer a fall this year; the sooner the person is found, the greater the chance of survival. 9 Use slip-resistant carpets and rugs. 4 Keep ash trays, lighters and other fire sources 10 Ask your doctor to review your medication to identify any side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Time incapacitated Percentage found alive <1 hour 1-3 hours 3-6 hours 92% 47% 25% (heaters, hot plates, teapots) away from beds and bedding. 10 6-12 hours 22% 33% 14% 12% 13% 12 12-24 hours 24-48 hours 48-72 hours 72 hours-plus Fifty percent of people who fall need assistance Place grab bars and non-slip mats in bathtub. to get up. Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind for seniors and their 5 Cooking-related accidents are the leading case of fire injuries for older Americans. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire. 12 Turn water heater temperature to 120 degrees to help prevent scalding. families. 13 Heating equipment is blamed for many fires in the homes of elderly people. Exercise caution when using space heaters or wood stoves. Have at least one phone where it would be accessible in the event of People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. an accident. Consider a cordless phone, but make sure you keep it charged and keep it with you. Brought to you by About 30% of older Americans Medical Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your eyeglass prescription. Consider single-vision distance lenses for some activities, such as outdoor walking. Giardlan who aren't institutionalized live alone. 1 of every 2 Medical Alert Systems women 75 and older live alone. 1-800-668-9200 www.medicalguardian.com 1 out of 3 older adults falls each year. In 2008, more than 19,700 older Americans died from unintentional fall injuries. Now: 1 in 8 eight SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.medicalalarmjournal.com/Senior-Statistics.html - http://www.epill.com/falls1.html - http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm http://www.klsecurity.com/elderly_fire_safety.htm - http://tendereldercare.com/top-4-ways-tips-for-elderly-home-safety-in-your-home.html Americans is 65 or Exercise regularly. Gentle movement is best for older people, so consider Tai Chi or similar programs. U.S. Administration on Aging - World Bank older. By 2030: Itll be almost 1 in 5. HOW TO PREVENT A FALL * TIPS 3 Keep walkways as clear as possible, and be sure pets are not frequently under-foot. Handrails on both sides of stairs. Improve the lighting in your home. SENIOR SAFETY TIPS Install and maintain at least one smoke detector on each floor of the home. Make sure the home doesn't have extension cords or long cables in walking paths. Staying safe around the house is important for every one, but especially for seniors, who may be facing health problems and limited mobility. And as the American population continues to age, in-home safety will continue to be of vital importance. About one-third of older Americans (those 65 and up) will suffer a fall this year; the sooner the person is found, the greater the chance of survival. 9 Use slip-resistant carpets and rugs. 4 Keep ash trays, lighters and other fire sources 10 Ask your doctor to review your medication to identify any side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Time incapacitated Percentage found alive <1 hour 1-3 hours 3-6 hours 92% 47% 25% (heaters, hot plates, teapots) away from beds and bedding. 10 6-12 hours 22% 33% 14% 12% 13% 12 12-24 hours 24-48 hours 48-72 hours 72 hours-plus Fifty percent of people who fall need assistance Place grab bars and non-slip mats in bathtub. to get up. Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind for seniors and their 5 Cooking-related accidents are the leading case of fire injuries for older Americans. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire. 12 Turn water heater temperature to 120 degrees to help prevent scalding. families. 13 Heating equipment is blamed for many fires in the homes of elderly people. Exercise caution when using space heaters or wood stoves. Have at least one phone where it would be accessible in the event of People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. an accident. Consider a cordless phone, but make sure you keep it charged and keep it with you. Brought to you by About 30% of older Americans Medical Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your eyeglass prescription. Consider single-vision distance lenses for some activities, such as outdoor walking. Giardlan who aren't institutionalized live alone. 1 of every 2 Medical Alert Systems women 75 and older live alone. 1-800-668-9200 www.medicalguardian.com 1 out of 3 older adults falls each year. In 2008, more than 19,700 older Americans died from unintentional fall injuries. Now: 1 in 8 eight SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.medicalalarmjournal.com/Senior-Statistics.html - http://www.epill.com/falls1.html - http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm http://www.klsecurity.com/elderly_fire_safety.htm - http://tendereldercare.com/top-4-ways-tips-for-elderly-home-safety-in-your-home.html Americans is 65 or Exercise regularly. Gentle movement is best for older people, so consider Tai Chi or similar programs. U.S. Administration on Aging - World Bank older. By 2030: Itll be almost 1 in 5. HOW TO PREVENT A FALL * TIPS 3 Keep walkways as clear as possible, and be sure pets are not frequently under-foot. Handrails on both sides of stairs. Improve the lighting in your home. SENIOR SAFETY TIPS Install and maintain at least one smoke detector on each floor of the home. Make sure the home doesn't have extension cords or long cables in walking paths. Staying safe around the house is important for every one, but especially for seniors, who may be facing health problems and limited mobility. And as the American population continues to age, in-home safety will continue to be of vital importance. About one-third of older Americans (those 65 and up) will suffer a fall this year; the sooner the person is found, the greater the chance of survival. 9 Use slip-resistant carpets and rugs. 4 Keep ash trays, lighters and other fire sources 10 Ask your doctor to review your medication to identify any side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Time incapacitated Percentage found alive <1 hour 1-3 hours 3-6 hours 92% 47% 25% (heaters, hot plates, teapots) away from beds and bedding. 10 6-12 hours 22% 33% 14% 12% 13% 12 12-24 hours 24-48 hours 48-72 hours 72 hours-plus Fifty percent of people who fall need assistance Place grab bars and non-slip mats in bathtub. to get up. Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind for seniors and their 5 Cooking-related accidents are the leading case of fire injuries for older Americans. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire. 12 Turn water heater temperature to 120 degrees to help prevent scalding. families. 13 Heating equipment is blamed for many fires in the homes of elderly people. Exercise caution when using space heaters or wood stoves. Have at least one phone where it would be accessible in the event of People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. an accident. Consider a cordless phone, but make sure you keep it charged and keep it with you. Brought to you by About 30% of older Americans Medical Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your eyeglass prescription. Consider single-vision distance lenses for some activities, such as outdoor walking. Giardlan who aren't institutionalized live alone. 1 of every 2 Medical Alert Systems women 75 and older live alone. 1-800-668-9200 www.medicalguardian.com 1 out of 3 older adults falls each year. In 2008, more than 19,700 older Americans died from unintentional fall injuries. Now: 1 in 8 eight SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.medicalalarmjournal.com/Senior-Statistics.html - http://www.epill.com/falls1.html - http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm http://www.klsecurity.com/elderly_fire_safety.htm - http://tendereldercare.com/top-4-ways-tips-for-elderly-home-safety-in-your-home.html Americans is 65 or Exercise regularly. Gentle movement is best for older people, so consider Tai Chi or similar programs. U.S. Administration on Aging - World Bank older. By 2030: Itll be almost 1 in 5. HOW TO PREVENT A FALL * TIPS 3 Keep walkways as clear as possible, and be sure pets are not frequently under-foot. Handrails on both sides of stairs. Improve the lighting in your home. SENIOR SAFETY TIPS Install and maintain at least one smoke detector on each floor of the home. Make sure the home doesn't have extension cords or long cables in walking paths. Staying safe around the house is important for every one, but especially for seniors, who may be facing health problems and limited mobility. And as the American population continues to age, in-home safety will continue to be of vital importance. About one-third of older Americans (those 65 and up) will suffer a fall this year; the sooner the person is found, the greater the chance of survival. 9 Use slip-resistant carpets and rugs. 4 Keep ash trays, lighters and other fire sources 10 Ask your doctor to review your medication to identify any side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Time incapacitated Percentage found alive <1 hour 1-3 hours 3-6 hours 92% 47% 25% (heaters, hot plates, teapots) away from beds and bedding. 10 6-12 hours 22% 33% 14% 12% 13% 12 12-24 hours 24-48 hours 48-72 hours 72 hours-plus Fifty percent of people who fall need assistance Place grab bars and non-slip mats in bathtub. to get up. Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind for seniors and their 5 Cooking-related accidents are the leading case of fire injuries for older Americans. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire. 12 Turn water heater temperature to 120 degrees to help prevent scalding. families. 13 Heating equipment is blamed for many fires in the homes of elderly people. Exercise caution when using space heaters or wood stoves. Have at least one phone where it would be accessible in the event of People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. an accident. Consider a cordless phone, but make sure you keep it charged and keep it with you. Brought to you by About 30% of older Americans Medical Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your eyeglass prescription. Consider single-vision distance lenses for some activities, such as outdoor walking. Giardlan who aren't institutionalized live alone. 1 of every 2 Medical Alert Systems women 75 and older live alone. 1-800-668-9200 www.medicalguardian.com 1 out of 3 older adults falls each year. In 2008, more than 19,700 older Americans died from unintentional fall injuries. Now: 1 in 8 eight SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.medicalalarmjournal.com/Senior-Statistics.html - http://www.epill.com/falls1.html - http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm http://www.klsecurity.com/elderly_fire_safety.htm - http://tendereldercare.com/top-4-ways-tips-for-elderly-home-safety-in-your-home.html Americans is 65 or Exercise regularly. Gentle movement is best for older people, so consider Tai Chi or similar programs. U.S. Administration on Aging - World Bank older. By 2030: Itll be almost 1 in 5.