Safety First - Fall Prevention Awareness Week

​The first day of Fall isn't just about the leaves changing color and welcoming the autumn chill. It’s also about bringing awareness to fall prevention for seniors. 28% of adults over 65 years old fall each year and many of those falls lead to injuries that can create lasting lifestyle changes.
 
Falls may not always seem like a big deal, but as we age, falling can cause far greater injuries than they might have when we were younger. Falls are one of the most common causes of injuries in seniors and often lead to drastic changes in daily life or chronic pain. Fall related injuries can range from fractures and sprains to broken bones, or in severe cases, even traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

​The best way to help prevent falls is to find out what your fall risk is. You can do this by checking in with your doctor and getting a fall risk assessment done. From there, you can take into account what preventative lifestyle changes you may want to make in order to lessen your personal risk.

​Staying active can drastically reduce your risk of falling as well as the risk of major injuries from falling. Maintaining muscle mass and mobility allow for greater ease when moving and protect your body if you do happen to fall.
 
Our state-of-the-art fitness center, along with weekly activities, and our unique care partnerships help to improve physical health for our senior living residents. These preventative measures are some of the many ways we work to incorporate physical wellness into daily life at Melody Living.
 
In addition to physical wellness, be sure to have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly. Poor eyesight or hearing are two other major causes of falls. This is because you may be less aware of your surroundings than you believe. Similarly, ensure that your space has proper lighting and keep your environment well lit whenever you are going to be moving around. Motion-sensored lighting is a great apartment add-on you can install in your loved one’s home for ease of getting around in the middle of the night.

Wearing sensible shoes can also aid in reducing fall risk. Secure footwear helps to stabilize balance and decrease risk of falling. Adjusting your shoes can also help to reduce joint pain.

Remove hazards from your space such as stray wires, throw rugs, and general clutter. Keeping your space tidy, and frequently used walkways clear, helps to lessen your risk of falling. If a fall does occur, every Melody Living resident is given a medical alert pendant to utilize in case of emergencies that can get them care quickly.
 
Falls happen to over 36 million Americans each year and one out of every five falls results in serious injury. When a person experiences a fall, they are at higher risk to have a repeat occurrence. Many take this risk as a sign to limit physical activity. However, maintaining physical strength and activity, especially after a fall occurs can help to reduce the risk of falling again.

Melody Living takes great care to ensure all of our residents are living their safest and most fulfilling lives. Come take a tour and fall in love with the Melody Living assisted living community. Make sure to ask us about our fall prevention practices! Visit our contact page to schedule a tour or give us a call at 719.960.4005