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September is Fall Prevention Month

 

It all began with a fall. For a child it amounts to more often or not a few bumps, bruises and scrapes. Most of the time home remedies such as a kiss, a hug and a cool looking band aid is all that is needed to dry up the tears. But for older adults the cost of falling increases with age and the fall itself can be fatal or near fatal. Falls of any kind for the elderly have major consequences on financial resources and also on the family. Recovery from fall injuries can become temporary or permanently life changing, presenting major challenges for the person who fell and the subsequent care that person will need, either from family members or care providers.

 

Direct medical costs include hospital fees, rehabilitation care, doctors and other professional services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, use of medical equipment, prescription drugs and insurance claims processing. There may be long term effects resulting from fall injuries such as lost time from work, loss of employment, the need to apply for disability, dependence on others for care to provide activities of daily living and reduced quality of life

 

In 2016 the Center for Disease Control reported that the total medical costs for falls totaled over $50 billion ( that is billion with a B). With over 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day the number of falls and the costs to treat fall injuries will inevitably increase.

 

  • Each year, millions of people 65 and older are treated in emergency departments because of falls.
  • Over 800,000 patients a year nationwide are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a broken hip or head injury.
  • Fall injuries are among the 20 most expensive medical conditions.
  • The average hospital cost for a fall injury is over $30,000.

 

Prevention is far better than cure.  Safety tips to add to your daily life.

 

  • Add an accident policy to offset out of pocket medical expenses
  • Purchase an auto response in case of emergency
  • Add grab bars to showers and bathrooms and stairways
  • Add a stool to sit in the shower or tub
  • Update home lighting… brighter is better
  • Keep rooms and floors clutter free.
  • Rearrange furniture for clear walkways
  • Secure area rugs
  • Wear appropriate footwear – non slip soles
  • Clean up floor spills as soon as they happen

 

e-mail: julia@smarteradvantage.com

 

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