According to the National Council on Aging, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury EVERY 14 SECONDS. Many falls are preventable, and it’s important for caregivers to gain an understanding of fall risk factors and home safety tips to avoid this very common mishap.
Here are some great educational websites for fall prevention information and community resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov
National Council on Aging: ncoa.org
Caregiver Action Network: caregiveraction.org
Shield HealthCare Community: shieldhealthcare.com/community
“6 Steps to Prevent Falls” – An infographic by National Council on Aging: http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/NCOA-Falls-Flyer-2014.pdf
“National Falls Prevention Awareness Day” by the Falls Free Initiative: http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/center-for-healthy-aging/falls-prevention/falls-prevention-awareness.html
National Falls Prevention Resource Center Community Programs: http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-healthy-aging/Select-EB-FP-Programs-Grid-021215.pdf