The message of Falls Prevention Week: Keep moving, stay aware, stay hydrated

ROCHESTER - When people hear of an elderly person falling down stairs or tripping over a rug they often chalk it up to the aging process, but a falls prevention specialist at Cornerstone VNA in Rochester says that's simply not the case.
This week was designated Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and as part of the awareness effort Cornerstone Rehab Manager Karen Krause scheduled an online forum to educate seniors or anyone on how they can mitigate the risk of falls.
And the risk is real, and the numbers don't lie.
According to the New Hampshire Division of Health & Human Services, falls are a leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among people 65 and older in New Hampshire, leading to 239 deaths, 4,011 hospitalizations, and 14,268 emergency department visits in 2021 alone.
It is estimated that around 20 percent of New Hampshire citizens are 65 or older, and it is estimated that one-fourth of people 65 and older will fall each year.
Lack of balance is at the forefront of the factors that lead to falls, Krause said.
"As we age we go through physiological changes including the components of balance, vision and what's called proprioceptors, which are sensors in your joints that tell you where your body parts are in space," she explained.
Just by moving around, whether it's walking, doing aerobics or working out on a treadmill or recumbent bicycle, you can improve the health of those proprioceptors, she said.
There are many other factors that can lead to falls, she explained, including cognition.
"When we age our brains can't multi-task like they used to, so you need to be aware as you go up or down stairs," she said.
Other things that can mitigate the risk of falls include good shoes that don't slip and have good tread, making sure pathways in and around your home are well lighted and staying hydrated.
She said lots of seniors she's spoken with don't drink water at night, because they don't want to have to keep getting up to use the bathroom. That's a problem she says.
"Dehydration actually causes dizziness and can cause falls," Krause noted.
It's also important to monitor medication usage to ensure they aren't negatively affecting balance issues.
Evidence-based programs reduce falls by utilizing cost-effective strategies, such as exercise programs, to improve balance and strength, medication management, vision improvement, reduction of home hazards, and fall prevention education.
Individuals seeking more information on evidence-based falls prevention programs in New Hampshire can visit Nhfalls.org.
As part of a national outreach campaign, the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and the New Hampshire Falls Risk Reduction Task Force would like to highlight a new online falls risk assessment tool available at no cost to individuals across the country. Visitors to https://www.ncoa.org/tools/falls-free-checkup/ can complete a short survey that screens for the most common falls risk factors.
The bottom line is injuries from falls are largely a preventable community health problem.
Whether you're working out at the gym or doing chair yoga in your living room the point is to "keep moving," Krause said.