CANADA: In British Columbia It's Falls Prevention Week For Seniors

VICTORIA, British Columbia, Canada (Ministry of Health), November 5, 2007: The first-ever Falls Prevention Week in British Columbia will run from November 5-11, 2007 to raise awareness among seniors, caregivers and health-care providers on how to learn to avoid falls and injuries, announced Health Minister George Abbott. “In 2006, more than 200,000 seniors in B.C experienced a fall, which is the leading cause of injury for older adults,” said Abbott. “By educating seniors and caregivers on how to prevent falls, we can help reduce the number of serious injuries to seniors and allow them to live active lifestyles.” More than 30 per cent of seniors living in communities and 50 per cent of nursing home residents over age 65 fall at least once each year. For many B.C. seniors, falls result in disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, reduced quality of life and even death. Unintentional falls are the sixth leading cause of death for seniors in the province. The number of falls among those aged 65 years and over in B.C. is estimated to rise to over 442,000 by 2031. “In the next 25 years, nearly a quarter of B.C.’s population will be over 65,” said Ida Chong, Minister responsible for Seniors’ Issues. “To ensure our seniors continue to have the best possible quality of life, it is vitally important that we work to educate our aging population on ways of avoiding falls.” The Province established the BC Falls and Injury Prevention Coalition in 2005 to provide co-ordination and support across British Columbia for falls prevention initiatives that help reduce fall-related injuries among older adults. Seniors can take many steps to avoid falls and injuries by maintaining appropriate physical activity, eating well and regularly seeing their health professional. In their living environment, seniors and their caregivers can: · Make sure stairs are in good repair and free of clutter and have a non-skid surface; · Report all slip and trip hazards in public environments to local municipalities; · Place frequently used items in an easy-to-reach location with heavy items in lower cupboards; · Make sure all rooms, stairs and balconies are well-lit with non-glare lighting; · Make sure there is a clear path from the bed to the bathroom; and, · Keep front steps and walkways in good repair and free of snow, ice and leaves. For more info visit www.gov.bc.ca