Moving and Handling
Safety/Fall Prevention
Who needs to be concerned about safety?
Safety strategies to protect your bones are important for individuals of all ages. It is imperative for everyone to protect their bones and overall health by wearing seatbelts in any moving vehicle and by using appropriate protective equipment when participating in sports. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you may be more likely to break a bone as a result of a fall. In fact, most broken bones happen as a result of a fall. Falls happen for many reasons, most of which can be avoided.
How common are Falls?
Anyone is at risk for a fall, however, falls are especially concerning in the older adult population. 30% and 40% of community-dwelling men and women aged 65 and older fall each year, with about one-third of those falls resulting in serious injury.; Each year an average of 863 New York State Residents over the age of 65 die as a result of an injury from a fall. This is equal to 2.4 deaths a day in New York that could be attributed to falls. In the elderly approximately 1 in 10 falls results in serious injury such as head injury, soft tissue injury or fracture Approximately 90% to 95% of hip fractures are the result of a fall.
What are the risk factors for falls?
There are several factors that can increase the risk of a fall. These risk factors for falls include: lower body weakness problems with gait and balance poor vision impaired hearing use of multiple (4 or more) medications a previous history of falls
Knowing your personal risk for falls can help you take steps to prevent falls and the potential for a fall-related fracture. For example, by participating in safe physical activity, you can help strengthen the muscles that protect your bones in the event of a fall. How can I reduce my risk for falling in my home?
It is important to do a home safety check on a regular basis to identify and modify falling hazards. Sometimes it is
Who needs to be concerned about safety?
Safety strategies to protect your bones are important for individuals of all ages. It is imperative for everyone to protect their bones and overall health by wearing seatbelts in any moving vehicle and by using appropriate protective equipment when participating in sports. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you may be more likely to break a bone as a result of a fall. In fact, most broken bones happen as a result of a fall. Falls happen for many reasons, most of which can be avoided.
How common are Falls?
Anyone is at risk for a fall, however, falls are especially concerning in the older adult population. 30% and 40% of community-dwelling men and women aged 65 and older fall each year, with about one-third of those falls resulting in serious injury.; Each year an average of 863 New York State Residents over the age of 65 die as a result of an injury from a fall. This is equal to 2.4 deaths a day in New York that could be attributed to falls. In the elderly approximately 1 in 10 falls results in serious injury such as head injury, soft tissue injury or fracture Approximately 90% to 95% of hip fractures are the result of a fall.
What are the risk factors for falls?
There are several factors that can increase the risk of a fall. These risk factors for falls include: lower body weakness problems with gait and balance poor vision impaired hearing use of multiple (4 or more) medications a previous history of falls
Knowing your personal risk for falls can help you take steps to prevent falls and the potential for a fall-related fracture. For example, by participating in safe physical activity, you can help strengthen the muscles that protect your bones in the event of a fall. How can I reduce my risk for falling in my home?
It is important to do a home safety check on a regular basis to identify and modify falling hazards. Sometimes it is