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 […]
How Do You Get a Loved One to Wear a Fall Prevention Device?
Dear Angel, I am thinking of buying my mother a smartwatch with fall prevention features on it for her birthday, but I’m worried she won’t wear it. What is the likelihood that seniors in general actually wear these devices? Thanks for your help! Anita Kno — Dear Anita, Falls are the leading cause of serious […]
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, […]
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 […]
Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2017 (Be Very Afraid!)
Halloween is today, so it’s the ideal day to present you with this year’s scariest articles. From parents being kidnapped by a professional guardian to people getting Alzheimer’s at 40, we uncovered some scary ground. To celebrate Halloween, we’ve ranked our scariest articles from least to most scary (but you be the judge) for […]
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. […]
Home Modifications for Fall Prevention
Dear Angel, We just found out that my father will be moving in with us. He is in his 70’s, has Parkinson’s, arthritis, and is in a wheelchair a lot of the time. We don’t have much money to renovate, but we want to make sure our home is safe and comfortable for him. Also, […]
Helping Seniors with Winter Hazards
Dear Baxter, The forecast calls for a huge snowstorm, and my mother lives alone. She is having a tough time with the bitter cold weather as it is, and the snow that they are calling for can be dangerous. Do you have any suggestions to help her deal with the winter hazards? Thanks for your help, Warry Duboutter —- Dear […]
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 […]