Healthy Yancey Spotlight

It's a Balancing Act

by
Sarah Osborne, DPT, Blue Ridge Fitness & Rehabilitation Center

Have you slipped on ice or fallen during our recent snow storms? This time of year is when many people realize, for the first time, their risk of falling. And it only takes one fall to cause serious injury like a broken hip, or a brain injury. Having these or other injuries can result not only in an unwanted trip to the hospital but also the need to rely on others to complete your normal activities.

In 2009 alone, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department had more than 1,350 fall-related visits. So falls are clearly an issue for many in our community and, if you are 65 years of age or older, you are at an increased risk. Did you know that more than one third of adults in this age group fall each year? But if you’re under 65 you are still at risk, particularly if you have any of the following risk factors:

• A fall in the last year

• Having more than one medical condition

• Using a walker or cane or holding onto furniture in your home to help you balance

• Weakness

• Difficulty with vision

• Decreased sensation in your feet

• Vertigo or dizziness
  

If you are concerned about your risk of falling, talk with your doctor about actions you can take to prevent falls. But, in the meantime, here are some things you can do to reduce your risk:

1. Begin an exercise program. Talk with your doctor to find out if a group exercise class would be safe or if you need the expertise of a physical therapist to design a personalized program.

2. In icy weather, take extra precautions. If you do go outside, wear shoes or boots that have good traction. Avoid walking on slippery surfaces and keep a shovel, salt and sand accessible.

3. In your home or outside, keep a portable phone with you so that you don't have to rush to answer the phone. This is also handy if you need to call someone in an emergency.

4. Regularly have your health care provider review your medications for side effects that may cause balance issues.

5. Have your vision checked annually, especially if you have existing problems with your eyesight.

6. Take steps to make your home safer.

• Remove throw rugs and eliminate clutter.

• Arrange extension cords so that you don't have to step over them.

• Ensure that your home is well lighted, especially in areas where the floor is uneven (steps, changes from linoleum to carpet, etc.).

• Install night-lights in the path from your bed to bathroom so that you can see where you are walking if you are up at night.

• Replace burned out light bulbs.

• Ensure that your handrails are sturdy.

• Use non-slip mats in the tub or shower, and consider installing grab bars in the bathroom inside the tub and next to the toilet.
  

Falls can be a very serious matter. When it comes to falls, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Sarah Osborne is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in treating balance and dizziness problems at the Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in Burnsville. If you would like more information, contact the Fitness and Rehabilitation Center at 828-678-3488.

This article is part of a monthly series of health related articles from members of the Healthy Yancey Steering Committee.  Healthy Yancey, a certified Healthy Carolinians Partnership, is a group of concerned citizens working together to improve the health and life in Yancey County. Healthy Yancey meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Thursday of the month at noon at Blue Ridge Fitness & Rehab.  For more information, call 682-7899.