Falls Prevention Awareness
SEPTEMBER 2021 AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER [ADRC] 721 Oxford Avenue Room 1130 Eau Claire WI 54703 Monday Ͳ Friday 8:00 am Ͳ 4:30 pm 715.839.4735 1.888.338.4636 !y: use Relay (711)
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Falls are the most common cause of trauma c brain injury. Falls among older adults are common, costly and preventable. x One out of every five falls causes an injury, such as broken bones or a head injury. x
Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.
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More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by fallingͶusually by falling sideways.
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Women fall more o(en than men and account for threeͲquarters of all hip fractures.
Falls are a threat to the health and independence of older adults. However, falls are not a normal part of aging. Here is the good news! There are proven ways to reduce falls.
Website and Social Media www.eauclaireadrc.org www.facebook.com/ECC.ADRC What you can do to prevent falls:
Find a good balance and exercise program, like Stepping On or Tai Chi Fundaments. Talk to your doctor about falls risks and preven on. Ask for an assessment of your risk of falling. Share your history of recent falls. Review your medica ons with your pharmacist or doctor. Make sure side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling. Take medica ons only as prescribed. Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses. Keep your home safe. Talk to your family for their support in taking simple steps to stay safe.
Visit these websites for more informa on on falls preven on:
Keep on Your FeetͶPreven ng Older Adult Falls | CDC h7ps://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/olderͲadultͲfalls/index.html h7ps://www.ncoa.org/olderͲadults/health/preven on/fallsͲ preven on