825 Georges Road2nd Floor

North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Office 732.745.0200Helpline: 732-783-6172

Fax 732.745.0211info@bianj.org

BIANJ.org

Seniors: Keeping Our Brains Safe, Active, and Connected

Laura Jacobs, M.A.Education and Outreach Coordinator

Ljacobs@bianj.org

Today we are going to talk about:• Why it is so important to prevent falls and protect our brain.

• Making our homes a safe place to prevent falls.

• The importance of staying safe while remaining physically active.

• Keeping connected socially even when we have to social distance.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury • # 1 FALLS # 2 CAR CRASHES

Definitions of Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI): is an insult to the brain caused by an external physical force, such as a fall.

Acquired brain injury (ABI): is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth such as a stroke, near suffocation, infections in the brain, etc.

Important Facts about Falls from CDC: Each year, millions of adults age 65 and older fall. In fact,

more than one out of four older people falls each year,but less than half tell their doctor.

Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.

Bergen G, Stevens MR, Burns ER. Falls and Fall Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:993–998. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6537a2

There is no cure

for brain injury,

prevention is

our best hope!

• Our Brain effects Everything we do:

• Thinking

• Behavior

• Feelings

• Physical

What percentage of falls occur at home?

20%

40%

60%

What percentage of falls occur at home?

Today we are going to talkAbout how to keep you safe

And sound whileYou are in your home!

60% of Falls Occur Within your home!

https://bianj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Heads-Up-Seniors-Checklist-2013_v1.pdf

Or call our help-line at 732-783-6172

Things to Remember when you are entering the bathroom:

1. You should always have on you someway of contacting others, this could be a life alert type of electronic or a cell phone. Remember to put it in a place you can reach should you fall

2. Grab Bars

3. No loose rugs or mats

4. Wear proper footwear

5. Wipe up any water on the floor right away.

1. When reaching for something, use a step stool or ask for help.

2. Wipe up spills immediately

3. Be aware of your surroundings, especially if you have little pets.

4. If you do fall, do not use anything that moves (like a cabinet door or drawer) to get up.

1. Wear proper slippers with traction and where your foot goes into the slipper and is fully surrounded

2. Proper lighting

3. Keep cane/walker near bed

4. Make sure even in middle of night if you need to use B/R, have phone on you.

5. No loose rugs

1. No Clutter

2. No drop rugs

3. Clear pathway in and out of the room

4. Phone on you

5. Pay attention to your surroundings

Within our homes, other items that can cause us to fall:

• Be aware of your surroundings and concentrate on what you are doing

• Problems with gait and balance

• Vision and Hearing impairment

• Medication use

• Bones and muscles becoming weaker

EXERCISE At ANY age you can strengthen your body to prevent falls

People who participated in Enhance Fitness at least once per week had significantly fewer hospitalizations.https://www.cdc.gov/prc/study-findings/research-briefs/senior-center-exercise-program-older-adults-enhancefitness.htm

For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity physical activity

Physical Activity Guidelines at www.hhs.gov

If you have exercise equipment at home, dust it off.

If no, you can get the same benefit from items you have in your home already!

Resources: Go to Search Engine (Such as Google, Yahoo, etc.)

https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/healthy/For health promotion programs from Dept of Human Services, Division of Aging.

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/exercising-at-home.html10 minute workout through AARP with a video

https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/exercise-type/balance/This site shows how exercising can help you, provides examples of new exercisesWatch workout video’s, Free Resources, How to stay on track

An Example of what you would see……

ü Improve your ability to control your body’s position, whether moving or still.

ü Examples: stand-on-one-foot, heel-to-toe walk, tai chi.

ü Good balance can help• Prevent falls• Stand on tiptoe without

teetering• Walk on uneven

sidewalks without falling

Balance Exercises…

https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/exercise-type/balance/

www.nia.nih.gov/Go4Life

q Start with the Go4Life website. Familiarize yourself with these Exercise Basics:

§ The 4 types of exercise recommended for older adults § The benefits of regular exercise § Safe exercises tailored for adults 50+§ Ways to stick with exercise, and more

Get Ready!

EXERCISE YOUR MIND – LEARN SOMETHING NEW. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO LEARN TECHNOLOGY

TO STAY CONNECTED TO FAMILY.

• Don’t be afraid.

• With education comes knowledge and with knowledge comes power.

• It may seem scary at first, but once you do it, it feels great!

• What better time? Ask your kids, your grandkids or even someone from your senior center to talk you through it over the phone.

Technology: What to Use to Connect• Computer • Cell Phone• Landline Phone

Made for Seniors in mind, Forbes included in an article titled Ingenious technologies to help aging adult stay connected and engaged:

Connection: GrandPad is a tablet designed just for seniors with a simplified set of 11 apps that use large, clearly labeled icons (for video and voice calls, photos, email, music, games, news, weather and search). The charged and configured tablet comes in a box designed for seniors, so it’s easy to open. Photos and contacts are preloaded on the device by family, so no passwords or setup are required. Only people on the approved contacts list can send messages and there’s a live support person on call 24/7.• https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyblankson/2018/09/07/4-ingenious-technologies-to-help-aging-adults-stay-connected-and-engaged/#6a1d0d454ab8

* Writing a letter

How to use the technology

https://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/helping-seniors-get-connected-through-technology/

Explains all about the different types of technology, like texting, skyping, facebook, etc.

https://connect2affect.org/coronavirus/

Coronavirus: Physical Distancing Doesn’t Have to Mean Socially Disconnecting

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2019/how-to-facetime.html?intcmp=AE-HF-TECH-R1-C6

How to Make a FaceTime Call on Your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac

Also talks about how to skype face to face with your loved ones/friends

Shows a video on steps and has a helpline.

Writing a letter – Can order stamps on-line. https://store.usps.com/store/results/stamps/_/N-9y93lv

Fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions Things you can do to support yourself

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news

• Take care of your body

• Make time to unwind

• Connect with others

• Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

• If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call for help.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html

If you do not have access to the internet, you can call:Community Connections

(888) 281-0145

AARP Community Connections website (www.aarpCommunityConnections.org) to see the wide array of information and resources that can help people of any age. You will also see the section for those who may be feeling socially isolated and how to submit a request for a friendly call using the online form or dialing: 888-281-0145 (toll-free.)

Remember Each day to take care of you!

Healthy

Active

Connected

Safe

QUESTIONS?

You can E-Mail me at Ljacobs@bianj.orgOr leave a voice message on 732.745.0200

and I will get back to you

825 Georges Road2nd FloorNorth Brunswick, NJ 08902Office 732.745.0200

Helpline: 732-783-6172 Fax 732.745.0211info@bianj.org

BIANJ.orgLaura Jacobs, M.A.

Education and Outreach CoordinatorLjacobs@bianj.org