Fall Prevention Awareness Week - Tips for Seniors

​The first day of Fall isn't just about welcoming the autumn chill and the leaves changing color. It’s also about bringing awareness to fall prevention for seniors. 28% of adults over 65 years old fall each year and many of those falls lead to injuries that can create unfortunate lifestyle changes.
 
As we age, falling can cause far greater injuries than they might have when we were younger. Falls are some of the most common causes of injuries in seniors and often lead to drastic changes in daily life. Fall related injuries can range from fractures and sprains to broken bones, or in severe cases, even traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, falls can also lead to hospital visits, which can pose increased risk for seniors and their overall wellness due to contracting other illnesses during their stay. 

​The best way to help prevent falls is to find out what your fall risk is. Check in with your doctor and get a fall risk assessment done. From there, you can take into account what preventative lifestyle changes you may want to make in order to lessen your personal risk. 

​At Melody Living Lake in the Hills our unique partnership with Paxxon Healthcare Services includes a complete fall prevention and risk assessment before each resident moves into our community. We take pride in ensuring we provide a proactive wellness approach for all of our residents. This gives both our community members and their loved ones peace of mind.
 
Staying active can also drastically reduce your risk of falling as well as the risk of major injuries sustained from falling. Maintaining muscle mass and mobility through exercise allow for greater ease when moving and help protect your body if you do happen to fall. Our state-of-the-art fitness center, along with weekly activities to improve physical health, are some of the many ways we work to incorporate physical wellness, one of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, into daily life at Melody Living Lake in the Hills.

​Be sure to have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly. Poor eyesight or hearing are major causes of falls as you may be less aware of your surroundings than you believe. Similarly, ensure that your living environment  has proper lighting and keep spaces well lit whenever you are going to be moving around.
 
Wearing sensible shoes can also aid in reducing fall risk. Secure footwear helps to decrease risk of falling and stabilize balance. Changing your shoes can also help to reduce joint pain.
 
Remove hazards from your space such as stray wires, throw rugs, and general clutter. Keeping frequently used walkways clear, and your space tidy, helps to lessen your risk of falling. If a fall does happen to occur, every Melody living resident is given a medical alert pendant to utilize in case of emergencies that can get them care quickly and limit the fall out of injuries. 

​Falls happen to over 36 million Americans each year and one fifth of falls result in serious injury. After a person experiences a fall, they are at higher risk to have a repeat occurrence. While many take this risk as a sign to limit physical activity, maintaining physical strength and activity, especially after a fall occurs can help to reduce the risk of falling again.
 
Melody Living takes great care to ensure all of our residents are living their safest and most fulfilling lives. Come take a tour and fall in love with the Melody Living assisted living community. Visit our contact page to schedule a tour or give us a call at 847.957.7070.