Gate Changers
Slow wound healing and neuropathy can be caused by this condition.
What is Diabetes?
People with Diabetes tend to lose feeling in their extremities which can change the way they walk putting them at risk for falls.
You should wear these if you have poor vision.
What are glasses?
If you need glasses for distance, you should be wearing them when walking around. Do not wear reading glasses when walking around.
Is known to cause pins and needles in the extremities and poor vision. Causes high blood sugar.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes can affect how you walk because you don't have normal sensation in your legs or feet. It can also affect you vision (Diabetic Retinopathy).
Canada recommends that you follow this to have a healthy diet.
What is Canada's Food Guide (The Plate Method).
Eating a healthy, well balanced diet will help keep your strength up to help avoid falls.
This condition causes pain and swelling of the joints.
What is Arthritis?
Painful joints can effect how someone walks, putting them at risk for falls.
If your mobility is deteriorating you might want to use these devices to make you feel more stable.
What are canes or walkers?
Be sure to use your assistive devices when walking. It is always best to be fitted by an Occupational Therapist, so the device is at the right height for you.
Pain and swelling in the joints. There are over 100 different types. In older age it is usually caused by deterioration of the cartilage in the joint.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis makes you 5x as likely to have mobility problems which puts you at an increased risk of falls.
These can help manage your chronic conditions, but the more you take the greater the risk of falls.
What is medication?
Take your medication as prescribed and get a meds check done at your local Pharmacy to ensure there are no side effects or interactions that can effect your balance.
This can be acute or chronic. It could be a result of an injury or illness. It might make you grimace or say "ouch".
What is Pain?
Pain can cause spontaneous reflexes in the joints which can throw a person off balance. Also, people with Chronic Pain tend to be less active - if you don't use it, you'll lose it - putting you at an increased risk of falls.
Placing these next to your toilet/tub will make it easier for you to get up from a sitting position.
What are grab bars?
Having a home safety assessment done to help determine where you benefit from grab bars is the best way to ensure they are placed in ideal locations for you.
A progressive condition that primarily affects movement, causing symptoms like tremors, muscle stiffness, and slow movement.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Falls are a major risk for people with Parkinson's disease. Strategies such as home modifications, using a walking aid, exercise, and learning slow movement techniques can lower risk.
It is recommended that you get 150 minutes of this per week at moderate to vigorous intensity.
What is Physical Activity?
You must keep physically active to maintain strength and mobility.
Three types of footwear that will increase your risk for falls.
What are slippers, flip flops and high heels?
Choose footwear that has a closed toe and heel, a good sturdy non-slip sole and fits snugly but comfortably. Wearing sloppy footwear or shoes with high or narrow heels put you at risk for falls.
Asking people to repeat themselves, dominating conversations and having your tv/radio volume loud could indicate you need one of these.
What is a hearing aid?
Wearing a hearing aid and being able to access auditory cues for environmental awareness can help decrease falls.
A condition characterized by low bone mass.
What is Osteoporosis?
Low bone mass increases your risk of fracture. Preventing falls is one way to reduce your risk of breaking a bone.
The professional you would see if you were concerned about your health.
Who is a Doctor?
See your Doctor regularly to review your health/ medication. Being proactive will allow for any changes to be addressed and treated.
Having too much of this in your house will put you at risk for falls.
What is clutter or obstacles?
Have clear paths in your home. Having to step over or around clutter or furniture puts you at risk for falls.
Place one of these in your tub if you struggle to stand through a shower and can no longer get down into the tub.
What is a bath seat?
Older adults may struggle to get in and out of the tub and aren't always able to stand for long periods of time unassisted.
An umbrella term used to describe the loss of memory, problem-solving and other thinking abilities.
What is Dementia?
People with Dementia can lack judgement and have difficulty with coordination of movement which can lead to falls.
Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, glasses, hearing aids, grab bars etc. are known as...
What are Assistive Devices?
Assistive devices are great way to keep you living safely and independently.