The Grey Bruce Heath Unit is promoting the new "Finding Balance" program in an effort to reduce the number of falls by older adults.
Health Promoter Alysa Heersink says not only do falls represent a significant cost to our health care system, they also have devastating consequences on the independence and quality of life of older adults.
In Grey Bruce between 2006 and 2009, an average of six seniors visited the emergency room each day because of a fall, and 12 seniors where hospitalized every week as a result.
November is Falls Prevention Month, and the Finding Balance program helps older adults stay active and contributing members of their communities.
The program helps raise awareness about the importance of leading healthy and safe lifestyles. It focuses on prevention through health and fitness, safety, and medication reviews.
The risk of falling and being injured increases with age, and can cause disability, mental stress and the loss of independence .
An estimated 1 in 3 older adults fall each year. In 2010, falls caused the most injury deaths in the province at 38 per cent. It also cost the provincial economy $2.8 billion.
“While the cost to our health care system from falls is significant; they are small when compared to the impacts on the independence and quality of life of older adults experiencing falls.” says Alysa Heersink, Health Promoter with the Grey Bruce Health Unit. “Finding Balance helps older adults stay active and independent. Older adults have so much to contribute and are a vital part of our families and communities.”
A woman named Beth tells the story of how a fall really changed her life: It was a Friday evening and I went to the theatre. It was quite dark, a result of poor lighting. I did not notice the wheelchair ramp in the middle of the back row, and I tripped over it. We went to the emergency room and had an x-ray and found out my ankle was broken. My daughter was ill at the time and was trying to help me. My commode had to be emptied every day and it was embarrassing to have my family and friends do this for me. I was used to doing everything for myself and having my independence. Falls can be painful, expensive, life changing and limiting. They happen in a split second and can change your lifestyle for the future.
