DETROIT (Orange County Register), November 20, 2007:
So there I was, flat on my face in the driveway because I tripped over some bricks around the garden while I was taking out the garbage. In the dark. In a hurry. My smack on the skull -- I saw stars and stuff -- was scary enough.
Falls are the leading cause of home-related injury and death, according to the Home Safety Council.
The council says falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal unintentional injury for adults 65 and older, who experience more than 4,700 deaths and an average of 1.5 million nonfatal fall injuries annually.
Angela Mickalide, director of education and outreach for the council, says too many seniors don't take the steps to make their homes safer.
Q. You did a survey of older adults and caregivers. What did you find?
A. What surprised me was 40% of adult children spent time caring for an older adult on a daily basis and another 40% weekly. And when we talked about falls, the majority reported a fall had occurred at home. But few said they had taken any steps to make the home safer.
Q. Is it difficult to make the home safer?
A. We're talking about proper lighting -- that's very important -- and hand rails along both sides of the stairs. Then there's grab bars in tubs or showers and secured throw rugs.
Q. That doesn't sound like much effort. Why are these solutions being ignored?
A. About half the adult children admitted some additional actions could be taken, but they didn't want to offend, hurt or insult the older adult's feelings. (But) there are several things a caregiver should do automatically. They should review all prescriptions and medications annually with the pharmacist, for example. They should do safety modification, medication management, make sure the older adult gets involved in physical activity and has an annual vision checkup.
By Jane Glenn Haas
Copyright ©2007 the Detroit Free Press
