Essential Tips for Fall Prevention Awareness Week

As we recognize Fall Prevention Awareness Week this week, it’s crucial to highlight the importance of preventing falls among older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults.

Ecumen is focused on dispelling the myth that falls are a normal part of aging. Many falls can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes, home modifications, and therapy. At Ecumen, we’re always looking for innovative ways to improve care and quality of life for our patients and residents. One example of how Ecumen is proactively focusing efforts to reduce falls is through new and innovative technology. At Ecumen Lakeshore, we’ve leveraged technology by OneStep for real-time movement analysis and risk assessment. This technology helps us identify whether a person is a high, moderate or low fall risk, and we can track mobility over time and intervene with personalized treatments and environmental adjustments to reduce fall risks. By developing a preventative health and wellness model for residents that live in our community, we hope that we can keep our residents independent and actively engaged in the activities that are meaningful to them.

Another example of how we are proactively managing falls in our communities is by promoting regular exercise programs tailored to balance and strength training, encouraging annual vision checks, and ensuring homes are free from hazards, we aim to create safer environments for our residents.

Making your home safer by removing clutter, securing rugs, and ensuring good lighting throughout your living space. Install grab bars in bathrooms and stairways and consider using non-slip mats in showers and on slippery surfaces. Staying mindful of footwear choices by choosing supportive, non-slip shoes can also significantly reduce fall risks.

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology play crucial roles in addressing the underlying conditions that contribute to fall risks. PT focuses on improving strength, balance, and mobility through tailored exercise programs. OT assesses and modifies the home environment to enhance safety and independence, while SLP addresses cognitive factors that may affect balance and coordination. Together, these therapies help older adults regain confidence and functional abilities, reducing their vulnerability to falls and promoting overall well-being.

Fall prevention requires a multifaceted approach that includes awareness, education, and proactive steps. During Fall Prevention Awareness Week, let’s join forces to empower older adults to live safely and independently. Together, we can prevent falls and preserve the health and vitality of our aging community.