Marianne, 78, has always led an active life. She enjoys riding her bike, doing yoga, walking on the beach, volunteering, and visiting with friends. Early one morning a few months ago, Marianne woke up and heard a noise, noticing that a light was on downstairs. She got out of bed quickly, figuring that her daughter […]
Fall Forecasting: Can Falls Be Predicted Before They Happen?
Nearly 20,000 people die from unintentional falls every year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult in the US is seen at an emergency department for a fall-related injury, and one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and […]
What Are the Best Safety Alert Devices with Fall Detection?
Q. My neighbor Suzanne is an avid jogger. I always see her out jogging early in the morning while I’m walking my pups. She’s got all the gear, including one of those newer Apple Watches. The other day, Suzanne was speed-walking instead of jogging, with her arm in a sling. I caught up with her […]
How Caregivers Can Help Prevent Falls
It’s the first week of fall and Fall Prevention Week 2020! A year before the Coronavirus pandemic, Miriam suffered repeated falls and a broken femur. After she spent time in a rehabilitation facility and participated in 3 months of private physical therapy, her mobility was still limited by a walker. Miriam was feeling helpless, depressed, […]
Common Advice to Prevent Falls Has Been Proven to Be Ineffective
Q. I am 72 years old and my 95-year old mother, Annie, lives with me. There have been quite a few times this past year when my mother has fallen, and we had to call 9-1-1 for help. We have tried every bit of advice that we could find such as taking an exercise class, […]
Tips and Resources for Fall Prevention
Dear Hayek, My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years ago. I know that loss of mobility is one of the unfortunate symptoms of the debilitating disease, which often results in falls. Do you have any tips and resources you can recommend to help me read ahead about fall prevention? Thanks! Mo Bilitee — […]
Falls Aren’t Just a Normal Part of Aging — They Are Preventable!
It’s fall — an ideal time to put on a light sweater, take a walk in the crisp air, and watch the green leaves being replaced by dazzling amber, maroon, gold, and bronze hues. Besides the rustic colors, crunchy leaves beneath your feet, and pumpkin-flavored everything, the first week of fall each year holds special […]
These are Responsible for 40% of All Injury Deaths
Q. Recently, we got a call from the emergency room that my husband’s grandmother fell outside of a store and fractured her wrist. It was a rainy night and she slipped on the ramp walking out of the store. Typically, when you hear about falls, you hear about instances where they occur on a rug that […]
Experiencing Falls? This Could Be Why!
Carol lives with her daughter, Jennifer, and her family in their ranch style home. One afternoon, while Jennifer was sitting on her sofa reading a book, she heard a thump on the kitchen floor followed by a scream. She ran to the kitchen to see her mother lying on the floor. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt. […]
Laser Shoes, Magic Carpets, & More: Technology to Combat Falls
Q. My parents are snowbirds. Every spring, I pick them up at the Lorton Auto Train and drop them off at their home, and in November, they go back to Florida for the winter. My father has had Parkinson’s for almost 20 years now, and the debilitating disease is taking its toll. Yesterday, when I arrived at the station, I noticed that it was extra hard to move my dad from his wheelchair to […]
Six Myths About Falls
Q. I recently visited my parents, who are in their 70’s, and have been worried ever since. My father, Sam, fell three times during the two days I was there. Often, my mother, Elaine, has lunch out and quilts with her friends, leaving dad home by himself. I questioned my mother about it and she said that falls are a […]