Today is Valentine’s Day! It’s known as a celebration of romantic love between couples. However, there should be no shortage of love being shown to all those who are dear to you. Of course, this would include the older adults in your family. Naturally, they need our love and care all throughout the year. This is especially true for those with mobility issues. They are most susceptible to falls, which happen to be the leading cause of injury for older adults.
“In Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and injury deaths among people aged 65 or older,” reports the Public Health Agency of Canada, “Injuries from falls reduce older adults’ quality of life, increase caregiver demands, and precipitate admissions into long-term care.”
Canada’s older population is growing.
The Canadian Frailty Network gives us an even more alarming perspective. They inform us that a senior experiences a fall every twelve seconds in Canada. Falls, they say, account for a whopping 81 percent of all injuries resulting in hospitalization. “Falls made up over half of injury-related trips to the emergency room (ER), making them the number one reason for injury among older adults who visited the ER,” their site adds.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also reports that by 2040, older adults will make up about one-fourth of Canada’s population. “The pace of growth of the group aged 85 or older is expected to be particularly steep,” says their site, “Therefore, it is essential to monitor trends and burden of falls among Canadian older adults.”
Fall prevention in the home is vital.
It should probably go without saying that your home should be as clutter-free as possible. Pick up any and all items from your walkways and staircases to ensure there is nothing to trip on. We’re talking shoes, toys and loose papers, for example. It’s also wise to secure carpets, rugs and electrical cords as they could cause someone to trip and fall. In fact, you may just want to do away with your throw rugs considering that they often bunch up to create unnecessary tripping hazards.
Don’t underestimate the importance of good lighting. Especially since many seniors contend with vision impairments, it’s important to make your home well-lit. The lights in your hallways, stairways and other high-traffic areas should be bright. As well, use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways to help seniors navigate in the dark. Consider installing motion-activated lights in key areas for added safety.
Falls break bones – and the bank!
In addition to the preventable injuries that falls cause, they’re also major burdens on our finances. Three years ago, Parachute collaborated with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit. Together, with support from the Public Health Agency of Canada, they created the Cost of Injury in Canada 2021.
“Preventable injuries cost the Canadian economy $29.4 billion in a single year, including $20.4 billion in direct health-care costs,” the report details, “The story does not end there. The human cost of injury brings pain, suffering and diminished health and well-being to individuals and their families. It impacts our potential to live long lives to the fullest.”
Safeguard your home with a stair lift.
Stair lifts are easily the best solutions for preventing falls on the stairs! To learn all about the stair lifts offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
