Staying Active &Staying Active &Independent byIndependent byAvoiding FallsAvoiding Falls

Ray Hammel, DPT, Buffalo Rehab GroupRay Hammel, DPT, Buffalo Rehab Group

Patricia Watson, Supervisor of Case Patricia Watson, Supervisor of Case Management Services, Erie County Management Services, Erie County Department of Senior ServicesDepartment of Senior Services

Why we’re hereWhy we’re here

Why we’re hereWhy we’re here• Part of a community-wide Part of a community-wide effort to reduce falls among effort to reduce falls among older people living in the older people living in the communitycommunity

Why we’re hereWhy we’re here• Part of a community-wide Part of a community-wide effort to reduce falls among effort to reduce falls among older people living in the older people living in the communitycommunity•Discuss ways to help people Discuss ways to help people maintain independence & maintain independence & remain active by reducing remain active by reducing the risks for fallsthe risks for falls

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The names of the The names of the two presenters are:two presenters are:

1.1. Bob and SandyBob and Sandy2.2. Ray and PatRay and Pat3.3. Rick and PamRick and Pam4.4. Tom and SueTom and Sue

The names of the The names of the two presenters are:two presenters are:

1.1. Bob and SandyBob and Sandy2.2. Ray and PatRay and Pat3.3. Rick and PamRick and Pam4.4. Tom and SueTom and Sue

Why are we concerned Why are we concerned about older adults about older adults falling?falling?

Why are we concerned Why are we concerned about older adults about older adults falling?falling?Although falls can happen to anyone, Although falls can happen to anyone,

among people 65 and older, falls among people 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury and are the leading cause of injury and deathdeath, and the risk of falling , and the risk of falling increases significantly with age – increases significantly with age – the older you get, the more likely the older you get, the more likely you are to have an accidental fallyou are to have an accidental fall

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Of people 65 and older, how Of people 65 and older, how many will fall this year?many will fall this year?

1.1. 1 in 101 in 102.2. 1 in 61 in 63.3. 1 in 31 in 34.4. All of themAll of them

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Of people 65 and older, how Of people 65 and older, how many will fall this year?many will fall this year?

1.1. 1 in 101 in 102.2. 1 in 61 in 63.3. 1 in 31 in 34.4. All of themAll of them

Exercise Break!Exercise Break!

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions• Poor vision or hearingPoor vision or hearing

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions• Poor vision or hearingPoor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (e.g. walker)Mobility aids (e.g. walker)

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions• Poor vision or hearingPoor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (e.g. walker)Mobility aids (e.g. walker)• Poor nutritionPoor nutrition

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions• Poor vision or hearingPoor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (e.g. walker)Mobility aids (e.g. walker)• Poor nutritionPoor nutrition• Medications dizzinessMedications dizziness

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions• Poor vision or hearingPoor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (e.g. walker)Mobility aids (e.g. walker)• Poor nutritionPoor nutrition• Medications dizzinessMedications dizziness• Conditions in the homeConditions in the home

Why do older adults Why do older adults fall?fall?• Chronic health conditionsChronic health conditions• Poor vision or hearingPoor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (e.g. walker)Mobility aids (e.g. walker)• Poor nutritionPoor nutrition• Medications dizzinessMedications dizziness• Conditions in the homeConditions in the home• AlcoholAlcohol

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True or False: True or False: According to According to research, women are much research, women are much more likely to be injured in a more likely to be injured in a fall, but men are more likely to fall, but men are more likely to die from their injuries from a die from their injuries from a fall.fall. 1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

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True or False: True or False: According to According to research, women are much research, women are much more likely to be injured in a more likely to be injured in a fall, but men are more likely to fall, but men are more likely to die from their injuries from a die from their injuries from a fall.fall. 1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Remove tripping hazardsRemove tripping hazards

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Remove tripping hazardsRemove tripping hazards• Stairs: clutter? lighting? Stairs: clutter? lighting?

broken steps? handrail?broken steps? handrail?

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Remove tripping hazardsRemove tripping hazards• Stairs: clutter? lighting? Stairs: clutter? lighting?

broken steps? handrail?broken steps? handrail?• Throw rugsThrow rugs

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Remove tripping hazardsRemove tripping hazards• Stairs: clutter? lighting? Stairs: clutter? lighting?

broken steps? handrail?broken steps? handrail?• Throw rugsThrow rugs• Keep things in easy reachKeep things in easy reach

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Remove tripping hazardsRemove tripping hazards• Stairs: clutter? lighting? Stairs: clutter? lighting?

broken steps? handrail?broken steps? handrail?• Throw rugsThrow rugs• Keep things in easy reachKeep things in easy reach• Grab bars at toilet, tub or Grab bars at toilet, tub or

showershower

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Non-slip mat in Non-slip mat in

bathtub/showerbathtub/shower

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Non-slip mat in Non-slip mat in

bathtub/showerbathtub/shower• Good lighting – especially from Good lighting – especially from

bed to bathroombed to bathroom

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Non-slip mat in Non-slip mat in

bathtub/showerbathtub/shower• Good lighting – especially from Good lighting – especially from

bed to bathroombed to bathroom• Avoid walking around in Avoid walking around in

slippers or socks or stockingsslippers or socks or stockings

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer• Non-slip mat in Non-slip mat in

bathtub/showerbathtub/shower• Good lighting – especially from Good lighting – especially from

bed to bathroombed to bathroom• Avoid walking around in Avoid walking around in

slippers or socks or stockingsslippers or socks or stockings• Keep flashlight near your bedKeep flashlight near your bed

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Additional ideas about Additional ideas about reducing hazards reducing hazards around the home?around the home?

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer2.2. Review medicationsReview medications

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How many of you have had How many of you have had your medications reviewed your medications reviewed by your doctor or pharmacist by your doctor or pharmacist in the in the last 12 monthslast 12 months??

1.1. Red team?Red team?2.2. Blue team?Blue team?

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer2.2. Review medicationsReview medications3.3. Have your vision checkedHave your vision checked

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How many of you have had How many of you have had your vision checked in the your vision checked in the last 12 monthslast 12 months??

1.1. Red team?Red team?2.2. Blue team?Blue team?

How do you reduce How do you reduce your risk of falling?your risk of falling?1.1. Make your home saferMake your home safer2.2. Review medicationsReview medications3.3. Have your vision checkedHave your vision checked4.4. Exercise regularlyExercise regularly

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How many of you currently How many of you currently exercise exercise at least 3 times a at least 3 times a weekweek??

1.1. Red team?Red team?2.2. Blue team?Blue team?

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How many of you currently How many of you currently do Tai Chi?do Tai Chi?

1.1. Red team?Red team?2.2. Blue team?Blue team?

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How many of you currently How many of you currently drink Chai Tea?drink Chai Tea?

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How many of you currently How many of you currently drink Chai Tea?drink Chai Tea?

(Just kidding)(Just kidding)

What else can be done What else can be done to reduce falls???to reduce falls???