Brought to you by: Kayla Brittney, Austin & Corinne W ELCOME TO : W ATCH Y OUR S TEP !

W HAT ’ S THE P ROBLEM ?  More than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States  Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in older adults  They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma  20-30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures or head traumas; making it hard to get around and limiting independent living (CDC).

I MPORTANCE OF E XERCISE  Regular exercise helps keep you strong and improves muscle tone.  It also helps keep your joints, tendons, and ligaments flexible.  An inactive lifestyle can cause older adults to lose ground in four areas that are important for staying healthy and independent: strength, balance, flexibility & endurance (NIH).

M EDICATIONS  Different types can have various effects on balance and alertness.  As you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change.  Seniors who take four or more medications may be two to three times more likely to be injured due to a fall than those using less medication

O THER M ISC. F ACTORS Have your vision & hearing tested:  At least once a year  Small changes in sight and hearing can make you less stable  If you order new glasses, take time to get used to them & wear them when you should  If you need a hearing aid, be sure it fits well Be safe, take your time:  Always stand up slowly after eating, lying down or resting; getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop which can make you feel faint.  Use a cane, walking stick or walker to help you feel steadier when you walk. This is very important when you’re walking in areas you don’t know.

F ALL H AZARDS IN THE H OME

W ALKWAYS Potential Hazards:  Furniture that is too close together and cluttered, blocking or interfering with walkways.  Throw rugs or unsecured floor coverings.  Clutter such as books, towels, shoes, boxes and other misc. objects on the floor.  Exposed wires or cords like lamp, telephone or extension cords. Recommendations:  Move furniture to create a clear and safe path.  Remove the rugs or use double sided tape &/or a non-slop backing.  Pick up objects off floor, keep floor clear of clutter.  Coil or place cords/wires next to wall to not trip over them.

S TAIRS & S TEPS Potential Hazards:  Objects/Clutter on the stairs i.e. books, shoes, etc  Uneven or broken steps  Missing a light over the stairway  Having only one light switch for the stairs (top or bottom)  Unsteady or lack of handrails for the stairs Recommendations:  Always keep objects off the stairs  Fix loose or uneven steps  Have an electrician put in a light at the top & bottom of stairway  Have an electrician put in a light switch at the top & bottom of stairs  Fix loose handrails, or install new ones, make sure handrails are on either sides of stairway and that follow entire length of the stairs.

K ITCHEN Potential Hazards:  Frequently used items stored on high shelves  Using a unsteady stool, chair or ladder Recommendations:  Move frequently used items to lower shelves, preferably near waist level.  Use a step stool with a bar to hold onto; never use a chair or unsteady stool

B ATHROOM Potential Hazards:  Having a slippery tub or shower floor  Lack of support or items to grab onto when getting in and out of tub or up from the toilet Recommendations:  Use a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of tub or shower  Have a carpenter put grab bars inside and outside of the tub and next to toilet

B EDROOMS Potential Hazards:  Lighting near bed is hard to reach  The path from bed to bathroom is poorly lit Recommendations:  Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach, or have a flashlight nearby  Put in a night-light in any dark hallway to see where you’re walking

O THER R ECOMMENDATIONS :  DON’T wear slippers or socks  DO wear proper footwear, preferably rubber-soled, low- heeled shoes that fully support your feet  DON’T let your home get too cold or hot because it can make your feel dizzy  DO use a fan, drink liquids and keep up with heating/cooling maintenance  DO have a cordless phone near floor in case you fall and cannot get up  DO consider wearing an alarm device that allows emergency help sent to your home at a push of a button  DO be aware and careful if you have a pet in your home

M OCK -U P R OOM S CAVENGER H UNT ! Help yourselves to coffee and cakes and feel free to ask any questions!

T HANK Y OU & S TAY S AFE !