Talk to Your Physical Therapist About Protecting Yourself from Falls and Injuries
Rich and colorful hues of orange, red and gold painted our beautiful Michigan landscape once more this year. While we’ve been spoiled by unusually warm weather in October and November, we are finally experiencing brisk temperatures and need I say, SNOW!!! Cold weather and shorter days means winter is here .Now is the time to prepare and protect yourself from fall hazards that may take place from slippery ice or snow, or even in your own home.
Did you know nearly 25% of all Americans over the age of 65 fall each year? Many of these falls can lead to non-fatal injuries like fractures, sprains and strains. However, some can be fatal. As we age, balance, vision, leg muscle weakness, low-blood pressure and side-effects from medications can increase our risk for falls.
More than three-quarters of all falls take place in the home. With an increase in the aging population, more and more seniors are living independently on their own. If you are older and live alone, or have elderly parents or a loved one, please read this.
Follow these easy tips to be safe this season:
Quite often local fire departments, like Rochester Hills, will provide complimentary on-site assessments to ensure your home is hazard-free. Also, if you experience pain and/or difficulty walking, ask your physician to provide documentation for you to get a handicap license plate or card.
If you are worried about falling, visit a physical therapist to screen your risk for falls and show you strategies and exercises to improve balance, coordination, mobility and strength. Based on evaluation results, a physical therapist will design a program to help increase leg strength, build endurance, recommend assistive devices for patients, and teach safety precautions.
Barclay Physical Therapy cares about your well-being. If you feel we can help, call us at 248-853-5853 for a complimentary fall risk assessment.
[1] Slip, Trip, Fall Prevention For Healthcare Workers. Department of Health and Human Services. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Dec 2010. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2011-123/pdfs/2011-123.pdf