Facts On Fall Prevention (NAPSA)—Here’s uplifting news: You can take steps to protect your- self and your family from falls. That’s more important than many realize. Falls, it seems, are the lead- ing cause of injury-related visits to the emergency room in the U.S. and the primary cause of accidental deaths in people over age 65, according to American Family Physicians. The American College of Phy- sicians says that 35 to 40 percent of adults 65 and older whoare generally in good health fall at least once a year. Fall Prevention Research suggests that one-third to one-half of all accidents andfalls in the homecan be prevented. The solution may be as simple as installing grab bars in a showeror widening doorways. In addition, a comprehensivefalls prevention program should include a medical evaluation that features an assessmentof blood pressure, vision, hearing, balance, muscle loss and mental status. AARP Health Care Options and MetLife Mature Market Institute provide us with the following information on falls prevention: Fall Prevention Do’s And Don’ts Do wear supportive, low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes. Don’t let lights get so bright as to increase glare, but be sure theyre bright enough so you can see your way Stepping up to the challenge of avoiding falls may be simpler than you know. Don't get furniture that’s so low or so high it’s hard to get on andoff. Don’t use throw rugsor loose carpets. Do install handrails on both sides of stairways, if possible. Do place nonskidstrips in the tub or shower. Do install grab bars in the tub or shower and next to the commode. You can learn more from “Since around hallways, stairways and bathrooms. Put night-lights in halls and bathrooms. You Care—Falls and Fall Prevention.” The free booklet is one of a series of Don’t let electrical cordsortelephone wiresclutter the areas where ucts topics. It’s available from AARP Do have light switches at the top and bottom of each staircase. you walk. Do checkto see if thresholds presenta trippingrisk. cuides that provide practical suggestions, useful tools and information on a variety of specific care-related prod- Health Care Options and the MetLife Mature Market Institute. For your free copy, call 203-221-6580 or e-mail MatureMarketInstitute@metlife.com.
