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Seniors

Aging Successfully

Preventing Injuries

Our Bodies. Ourselves

Falls and Consequences

Falls can lead to serious health problems beyond the possibility of broken bone and soft tissue damage from the fall. For example, of the 200,000 people who fell and broke a hip in one year, 20% died within 6 months and another 20% needed to move to a nursing home.

Preventing injuries is one of the easiest (and most obvious) ways to protect your health and ensure successful aging. Let’s look at some of the major physical factors that can help you prevent injury.

  • Vision
    Poor vision increases the risk of injury. Our eyesight changes as we get older, often resulting in a weakened ability to see things clearly. Poor night vision, sensitivity to glare, and a diminished sense of depth perception are all part of normal aging. So get your vision checked regularly. Make sure you you don't have conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts; if you do, get them treated. If you wear glasses, get them checked for effectiveness. Click here for more information on how your vision works.

  • Hearing
    Hearing is another ability that can diminish with age. Because hearing loss can also make you less aware of dangers (for example, sirens, cars honking, smoke alarms), it’s important to have your hearing checked regularly and to properly maintain and use hearing aids if you need them.

  • Mental functioning
    The ability to understand and relate clearly to our environment is key to personal safety. If a senior displays signs of dementia, family members and caregivers need to help prevent accidents by ensuring that the person lives in a safe place. Modern dementia care facilities are designed to allow freedom and safety for seniors at risk. Seniors living at home require the same safety precautions.

  • Health and medications
     Some medications can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, and muscle relaxation, all conditions that can lead to injury. Always consult with the doctor about possible side effects and interactions with over-the-counter medications. It’s safer for seniors to be awake and aware.

  • Exercise
    Exercises suitable for seniors, even the frail elderly, can help develop better muscle tone to improve balance and gait. Click on the link to learn about Strong Health's Center for Lifetime Wellness and its individualized exercise programs for seniors.

Home Sweet and Safer Home

Most seniors would like to age successfully in their own homes. Here’s a link for a quick review of in-home safety checks.

After the Fall

Strong Health’s orthopaedic department has developed a robust web site filled with excellent information and tips that can help seniors prevent falls and injuries.

  • Link here for information to help you find your “hidden” senior athlete. You can actually slow down the aging process by staying (or becoming) physically fit.

  • Sometimes what confines older people to their homes is not an actual fall, but the fear of falling. To learn more, click on this link to Strong Health’s osteoporosis web site.