The Quality of Life series of health lectures continues with a talk about fall prevention at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The lecture will be given by a physical therapist from Interim Healthcare.
The commercial “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” is no joke. For seniors, falling rarely just happens but rather results from multiple causes that occur over time.
Every year more than 1.6 million older adults go to the emergency department for fall related injuries. Falls are the main cause of fractures, loss of independence, hospital admissions and death.
As people age, their muscles and bones can weaken, balance can be affected, and certain medications and medical conditions can make falling and fractures more likely. Seniors who are also more prone to diseases like osteoporosis are more susceptible to experiencing a fall.
Hip fractures are the most common and serious type fall related injuries. After such a fall, only half of older adults hospitalized with hip fractures can return home and live on their own. About 80 percent of hip fractures occur in women. Women lose bone density at a faster rate than men do. The drop in estrogen levels that occurs with menopause accelerates bone loss, increasing the risk of hip fractures as a woman moves beyond menopause. However, men also can develop dangerously low levels of bone density.
The fear of falling causes older adults to avoid physical activities such as walking and exercise. But the truth is physical activity can help prevent falls. Some seniors who are concerned with falling go to physical therapy which can help improve balance, maintain physical health and prevent falls.
Bone fractures in seniors are not only traumatic but can lead to more serious problems later on. There are some ways to decrease the probability of falling by following some simple guidelines which will be explained at the lecture.
The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
