November is Falls Prevention Month

In Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults.

According to Fall Prevention Month statistics, over one-third of older adults will be admitted to long-term care after being hospitalized for a fall. Falls in older adults account for $2 billion in annual direct healthcare costs.

Every year, 1 in 3 Alberta seniors will fall.

Take action to reduce your risk.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. The older we get, the greater the risk of falling becomes. Our bodies naturally change with age, and these changes affect the way we feel, move, and behave. 

• Older adults with muscle weakness are 4-5 times more likely to fall.
• Try to do 30 minutes or more of physical activity at least 5 days each week.
• Walking, dancing, Tai Chi, and cross-country skiing are a few great ways to be active.
  

A fall can have a devastating and lasting impact on an individual resulting in injury, chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Even without an injury, a fall can cause a loss of confidence and a reduction in activities for older adults.

• Older adults with low vision are 2.5 times more likely to fall.
  
• A comprehensive eye exam will test your vision and look for issues like glaucoma and cataracts.
  
• Alberta Health Care covers the cost of eye exams for adults 65 and older.
  

Some medications can also put you at risk of a fall.

• Seniors taking more than 3 - 4 medications are at a higher risk of falls.
  
• Some prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements can increase your risk of falling.
  

These actions can help you prevent a fall and stay independent:

• Learn more about how to lower your fall risk to prevent yourself from falling or falling again.
• Talk with a physiotherapist to get the best walking aid for your needs.
• Exercise to improve your strength and balance.
• Talk with a physiotherapist or our PCN Exercise Specialist about exercise to improve your balance.
• Talk to your health care provider if you are worried about falling, especially if it stops you from being active.
• Do 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week strengthening your muscles can reduce your risk of falling - our PCN Exercise Specialist can provide guidance and exercise routines.
• Keep active to improve strength and balance. 
• Talk with your doctor or health care provider about managing the need to rush to the toilet. Rushing could increase your risk of a fall. 
• Talk to your podiatrist or doctor if you have numbness in your feet; numbness can cause a fall.
• Review your medications, vitamins, and supplements with your pharmacist or doctor yearly or if your prescription changes or new medications are added. 
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medication side effects or causes of light-headedness. Sometimes an adjustment of dosage or type of medication can help.
• Are you sad or have concerns about anxiety or depression? Talk to your health care provider or doctor about how you are feeling.
• Visit an eye doctor yearly to check your eye health. Poor vision or a change in vision can increase the risk of a fall.
• Wear proper shoes, especially outside. Take extra care when walking on snow or ice-covered sidewalks or parking lots. Learn the "Penguin Walk".

Take this online assessment quiz to see if you are at risk of a fall.

Health care providers can print paper copies of this quiz, here.

Learn more at https://www.fallpreventionmonth.ca/

Your Body Talks, Listen to it.

The pandemic has changed a lot of things; your family doctor/nurse practitioner wanting to ensure you are taking care of your health and wellbeing is not one of them.

If you have any unexplained, new, worsening or persistent changes in your health or changes in your body: don’t delay. Book an appointment with your family doctor/nurse practitioner right away so they can begin to investigate any changes you are experiencing. 

Your health is important. The healthcare system is prepared and ready to respond to any issues you experience and our facilities and primary care clinics remain safe places to seek care.

Your body talks, listen to it.

Detecting disease early, especially cancer, is important to save lives. There are symptoms you can look for, and if you experience any of them, book an appointment with your family doctor/nurse practitioner or health care team immediately, even during the pandemic. They will work with you to decide what tests you need. Some examples include:  

• An unusual or growing lump

• Blood in your stool, urine, or phlegm, especially if persistent or associated with other symptoms related to your bowels (pain, constipation), urination (pain, frequency, poor stream), or breathing (worse cough or shortness of breath). Also, unusual bleeding from vagina, especially in postmenopausal women  

• Any changes to a mole (size, shape, colour)

• Trouble urinating for men, such as needing to pee right away, more often, with difficulty or pain

• Unexplained significant weight loss (>10%)

For a full list of symptoms: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/cancersymptoms 

For other cancer resources: www.ahs.ca/bodytalk 

If your family doctor/nurse practitioner suspects cancer, they will refer you for testing, such as imaging or biopsy and possibly to a specialist to plan any necessary treatment.

If you do not have a family doctor/nurse practitioner, you can find one by calling 811 Health Link or by visiting www.albertafindadoctor.ca