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GET HEALTHY /STAYHEALTHY WATCH YOUR STEP! (Fall Prevention) FALLS are one of the leading causes of injury- deaths among older adults. In the State of Hawai i, an elder falls every five hours. Here in Hawaii County, falls result in 901 Emergency Room visits, 248 hospital admissions, and eight fatalities every year. Falls are usually due to a combination of risk factors including health issues, complications with medications, home and environmental hazards and incorrect assistive devices. Reduce your own risk factors by being pro - active and taking responsibility now for the factors that are within your control: • VISIT your doctors: have your medication dosages, your hearing and your vision checked out. • WEAR the right footwear and take care of your feet. • EXERCISE: Everything improves with exercise- -your balance, strength, stamina, even your mental acuity - EVERYTHING! Check out the "Exercise, the Best Medicine" section of this Resource Guide. Hint: Participating in a Tai Chi program has statistically been shown to greatly reduce your chance of falling. - GET PHYSICAL: If your community does not offer a fall prevention program, talk to your doctor about ordering some physical therapy for you, something that will help you increase your balancing skills and help reduce your risk of falling. it is like having apersonal trainer and can be a good jump start" for your own fall prevention regimen or exercise program. • MODIFY your home environment. Home design has been implicated in one third to one half of all falls, most often during common everyday activities., Common sense is the key: - Remove tripping hazards such as cords and small rugs t i - In the bathroom: Install non -slip surfaces in tubs or showers (or use a \� rubber tub mat). Use a soap -on -a rope or put the soap in the toe of a nylon stocking. Have another phone installed; add toilet lifts. - Install stair rails and grab bars wherever they may help you —by the toilet, in the kitchen, bedroom, along the hallway to the bathroom. - Make sure your phone is easy to reach and use. Consider a personal emergency alert such as those worn around your neck or wrist (ask the Aging and Disability Resource Center about this) � r , � AARP Coaddon for Consumer Hcakh & Safuy, Homc Safe Homc • SIGN UP for a Fall Prevention Program. Life Cave Center of Hilo Social Set-vices otters a comprehensive six week program aimed at reducing your tall risk and increasing your quality of life. This program, which is open to the public, provides a wealth of information on exercise, nutrition, hydration, medications, vision, breathing, posture and brain activities and even includes _ personal pre -and post - balance ratings. Call and let Life Care know you are interested; they will contact your doctor to get his or her permission for you to participate. There is a suggested $25 donation and a waiting list, so call 959 -9151. - GET PHYSICAL: If your community does not offer a fall prevention program, talk to your doctor about ordering some physical therapy for you, something that will help you increase your balancing skills and help reduce your risk of falling. it is like having apersonal trainer and can be a good jump start" for your own fall prevention regimen or exercise program. • MODIFY your home environment. Home design has been implicated in one third to one half of all falls, most often during common everyday activities., Common sense is the key: - Remove tripping hazards such as cords and small rugs t i - In the bathroom: Install non -slip surfaces in tubs or showers (or use a \� rubber tub mat). Use a soap -on -a rope or put the soap in the toe of a nylon stocking. Have another phone installed; add toilet lifts. - Install stair rails and grab bars wherever they may help you —by the toilet, in the kitchen, bedroom, along the hallway to the bathroom. - Make sure your phone is easy to reach and use. Consider a personal emergency alert such as those worn around your neck or wrist (ask the Aging and Disability Resource Center about this) � r , � AARP Coaddon for Consumer Hcakh & Safuy, Homc Safe Homc