Dr. Donald Buck
As we age, we start to be taught — typically firsthand — how devastating a fall may be. It isn’t fairly as simple because it as soon as was to hop again up and proceed on our method.
September is Nationwide Falls Prevention Month, a good time for older adults to be taught concerning the risks falls pose to high quality of life and independence and tricks to cut back threat components.
Every year, thousands and thousands of older adults expertise falls and fall-related accidents. Missouri ranked twenty sixth in a state-to-state comparability with 27.1 p.c of adults age 65+ reporting a fall prior to now 12 months, in keeping with new native knowledge from the 2021 America’s Well being Rankings Senior Report.
About one in 4 individuals in america over age 65 studies falling annually. Amongst older adults, 1 out of 5 falls causes a severe harm, together with 90% of hip fractures and 51% of traumatic mind accidents.
Contributing components for falls embody poor steadiness, poor imaginative and prescient, sure drugs, alcohol consumption, bodily inactivity, osteoporosis, bodily disabilities and normal frailty.
Being conscious of the danger components and following the following pointers can cut back your possibilities of severe harm, and allow you to keep and enhance the standard of your well being and stay unbiased.
Drugs
Any time you get a brand new prescription, ask your pharmacist or physician about unwanted side effects like dizziness or drowsiness that may have an effect on steadiness.
Assessment your well being advantages
As we strategy the Medicare annual enrollment interval in October, older adults ought to take into account whether or not their present plan consists of packages that may assist cut back the possibilities of a fall. Many Medicare Benefit plans, for instance, embody advantages that Unique Medicare doesn’t cowl that may assist cut back the danger of falls like imaginative and prescient and listening to advantages; health club memberships; and illness administration packages.
Keep energetic
Do workout routines that may strengthen your legs and enhance steadiness. Many Medicare plans provide advantages to assist seniors keep energetic like UnitedHealthcare’s health program RenewActive®, which incorporates entry to steadiness lessons.
Speak to your supplier
A well being care supplier will help assess and cut back your fall threat. Medicare-eligible people can entry care by way of an Annual Wellness Go to, which is free to anybody on Medicare. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Benefit members can benefit from the HouseCalls program, which brings an annual well being evaluation to the comfort and privateness of house, at no extra value.
Footwear
Be certain your footwear match, have good traction, and are comfy. See a physician in case you are experiencing foot ache.
Verify your own home
Most falls occur at house. Take away muddle, repair steps which are uneven and ensure there may be enough lighting. Set up seize bars and handrails within the toilet and on stairways. Use a cane, walker, crutches or different assist if wanted.
Falls can current a extra vital well being risk than many could notice, however by understanding threat components and learn how to cut back them, older adults can empower themselves to reside more healthy lives.
Dr. Donald Buck is the UnitedHealthcare Chief Medical Officer of Missouri.
