Don't Fall into Fall! Montesano Health & Rehab Reaches out to Prevent Dangerous Falls

Montesano, WA

Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and injuries for people aged 65 and over. However, many falls are preventable. As Fall Prevention Awareness Day approaches on September 23, Montesano-based skilled nursing center, Montesano Health & Rehab, is joining the effort to prevent dangerous falls by educating staff, residents and members of the community about steps they can take to stay standing and stay safe.

"Falls can be dangerous at any age, "says Rick Korn, the center's occupational therapist (OTR), "but for older people with vision or balance problems, or whose bones are weakened by osteoporosis, falls can be deadly. While we have great success here at Montesano Health and Rehab in our short-stay physical rehabilitation department helping people who have fallen recover from their injuries, the greatest success is a fall that has been avoided." Korn offers a few simple steps to help people prevent falls:

• See your doctor at least once a year to check your vision, hearing and coordination;
• Fall-proof your home with adequate lighting, hand-rails in the bathroom, non-slip strips in the tub, secure throw rugs to the floor, and arrange your furniture to give you room to get around;
• Wear comfortable footwear with treaded soles;
• Don't walk and try to perform other tasks at the same time that can break your concentration, such as eating or talking;
• Stay fit and exercise regularly to maintain your strength and flexibility
• Don't hurry; slow down and think about where you need to go

"Fall is the perfect time to increase awareness of fall prevention, because the ice and snow of winter are right around the corner," says Korn "Now is the time to change habits, rearrange your living space and implement safe strategies for moving through your world." Rick Korn says people with questions about preventing falls should talk to their doctor, check out the Centers for Disease Control's fall prevention resources at cdc.gov/features/olderamericans, or call the rehab department at Montesano Health and Rehab for more information.

Montesano Health and Rehab, a member of Revera Health Systems, is a 94-bed skilled nursing care center offering post-acute rehabilitation care and therapy after surgery or illness for adults of all ages, as well as long-term, respite and hospice care. For more information, visit ReveraMontesano.com.