Falls Prevention Awareness Day is September 22, 2017. Celebrate with Montero Law Center by helping your elderly loved ones and neighbors prevent dangerous falls.

What is Falls Prevention Awareness Day?

In 2008, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) designated the first day of fall as Falls Prevention Awareness Day. The NCOA will host major social media events on Facebook and Twitter.

This year’s theme is “10 Years Standing Together to Prevent Falls.” The back story of the theme is the Safety of Seniors Act of 2007, which expanded research and other programs and activities related to falls in the elderly.

How Can You Help Prevent Falls?

To help seniors and their loved ones prevent falls and to promote fall awareness, the NCOA shared quite a few resources on their site. You and your loved one can watch some free webinars and videos and read through infographics and handouts the NCOA published.

The NCOA, in partnership with the Archstone Foundation and the Home Safety Council, created an initiative called Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan. The initiative includes strategies from many groups on how we can prevent falls.

The NCOA also published a handout titled, “6 Steps to Prevent a Fall.” Some of the steps include talking to your healthcare provider, keeping your home (or your loved one’s home) safe, and reviewing your medications.

We also suggest:

  • Getting a medical alert system, such as Life Alert or Phillips Lifeline, to alert authorities if you or your loved one suffers a fall.
  • Buying your loved one a cell phone to ensure he can call you or the authorities from anywhere if he suffers a fall.
  • Wearing shoes. You can also buy a few pairs of non-slip socks.
  • Installing a chair stair lift. (Your insurance might pay for the installation; discuss this option with your doctor.)
  • Installing a raised toilet seat.
  • Installing safety bars in your loved one’s bathroom. Ensure they are near the toilet and bathtub or shower.
  • Using a walker to get around the house.
  • Installing brighter lighting around your loved one’s home. This is especially helpful in stairways.
  • Considering alternate living arrangements. If your loved one is unable to live alone, consider having them live with you.

How Many People Die from Unintentional Falls?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional falls are the number one cause of unintentional injury deaths in people age 65 and older. The older we get, the more likely we are to suffer serious injury or death from falling.

According to the CDC, an elderly person receives emergency medical care for a fall every 11 seconds. An elderly person dies every 19 minutes from a fall.

Stay Safe with Montero Law Center

The team at the Montero Law Center hopes you and your family stay safe today and every day. If you or a loved one suffers injuries in a fall, know that we are here for you. Call the Montero Law Center at 954-767-6500, and we will talk with you about your claim at no charge.