Friday, October 30, 2015
Grey Bruce Health Unit
November is Falls Prevention Month in Ontario
“Finding Balance” Aims to Help Seniors Stay Active, Healthy and Independent
Falls are a serious issue for older adults. An estimated 1 in 3 older adults fall each year. In 2010, falls were responsible for the most injury deaths in Ontario (38%) and generated $2.8 billion in costs to the provincial economy. In Grey Bruce from 2006 to 2009, about six seniors visited emergency rooms each day because of a fall and twelve seniors were hospitalized per week as the result of a fall.
The growing number of falls among Ontario’s seniors and the devastating consequences from falls prompted development of Finding Balance; a senior focused awareness and injury prevention program.
“While the cost to our health care system from falls is significant; they are small when compared to the impacts on the independence and quality of life of older adults experiencing falls.” says Alysa Heersink, Health Promoter with the Grey Bruce Health Unit. “Finding Balance helps older adults stay active and independent. Older adults have so much to contribute and are a vital part of our families and communities.”
Falls are the result of a number of factors including age. The risk of falling and being injured increases as people get older. Falls can disable, cause mental distress and may result in a loss of independence. Consider Beth’s story:
It was a Friday evening and I went to the theatre. It was quite dark, a result of poor lighting. I did not notice the wheelchair ramp in the middle of the back row, and I tripped over it. We went to the emergency room and had an x-ray and found out my ankle was broken. My daughter was ill at the time and was trying to help me. My commode had to be emptied every day and it was embarrassing to have my family and friends do this for me. I was used to doing everything for myself and having my independence. Falls can be painful, expensive, life changing and limiting. They happen in a split second and can change your lifestyle for the future.
Finding Balance raises awareness among seniors and future seniors about the importance of leading a healthy and safe lifestyle. The focus is on preventing falls through improving health and fitness, safety in the home, reviewing medications and speaking up about dizziness.
Finding Balance was developed at the University of Alberta School of Public Health and is adapted for use in Ontario. An Advisory Committee of multi-disciplinary health care
professionals from Southwestern Ontario, including the Grey Bruce Health Unit, guides the initiative.
To learn more, please visit www.findingbalanceontario.ca.
Media Contact:
Alysa Heersink
Health Promoter
Grey Bruce Health Unit
1-800-263-3456 or 519-376-9420 ext 1475
a.heersink@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
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