Home Safety – Don’t overlook it

Posted on: January 12th, 2015 by BrevardBlogger No Comments

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Getting older—let’s face it, it happens and there isn’t anything we can do about it.  As the years increase in number, our mobility tends to decrease.  As we lose mobility, everyday tasks can seem more difficult and, in some cases, actually hazardous to our health.  When focusing on assisting with mobility and accessibility, the bathroom has arguably more products available for it than any other room in the house.  This month, we plan on presenting you with a two-part series on home and bathroom safety and will discuss the dangers of falls and some ways to help prevent them.

Here are some eye-catching statistics to think about:

 

  1. Treatment for hip fractures typically includes surgery and hospitalization, usually for about one week, and is frequently followed by admission to a nursing home and extensive rehabilitation.
    If you are recovering from a hip fracture, plan on a minimum of six months of aggressive physical therapy that will involve weekly visits and daily mobility and strengthening exercises.
  2. Falls result in more than 2.4 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 772,000 hospitalizations and more than 21,700 deaths.
    While falls are serious health risks, there are some ways to help avoid them through certain products and being more mindful of where things are.
  3. Falls account for 25 percent of all hospital admissions, and 40 percent of all nursing home admissions.

People do not like the feeling of losing their independence, so the transition from independent living to an assisted living facility, or even a nursing home, can be a difficult one for a lot of people.

  1. 55 percent of all falls take place inside the home.
    Tripping while walking, slippery bathroom floors, door frames, etc. all statistically cause the most damage. Most people think slippery sidewalks and steps are bad, but actually, most falls take place at home.

While these statistics are serious, they don’t even include all of the falls that go unreported.  If you have an elderly loved one that still lives at home, make sure to educate yourself on fall prevention and what to do if a fall occurs.  Be sure to check out our product catalog at Brevard Medical Equipment for your mobility and bathroom safety related products.  Or call us at 1-321-453-3370.

 

*All stats are pulled from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC)

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