Take Advantage of STEADI When It Comes To Falls
Did you know that every second, a senior citizen in the United States falls and is subjected to injury? That’s 86,400 people falling each day. That’s over 29 million falls every year, causing over 7 million fall-related injuries and casualties. This makes falling the number one cause of injuries and deaths among Americans in 2014 alone and costs an estimated $31 billion in annual Medicare fees. The professionals at Nunez Law Firm are here to make sure that if this unfortunate situation happens to you or someone you love, you are in good hands.
Take Advantage of Fall Prevention With STEADI
To reduce falling-related accidents. CDC created the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) initiative to help healthcare providers make fall prevention routine. STEADI is based on clinical guidelines and provides information and resources for patients, caregivers, and all members of the healthcare team. STEADI includes:
- Information on how to screen for falls
- Online training for providers
- Videos on how to conduct functional assessments
- Informational brochures for providers, patients, and caregivers
At CDC, they are working with healthcare providers to help keep senior citizens safe from falls. It all starts with three steps that healthcare providers can easily integrate into routine office visits.
At each visit, healthcare providers should:
- Ask patients if they have fallen in the past year, feel unsteady, or worry about falling.
- Review medications and stop, switch, or reduce the dose of medicine that could increase the risk of falls.
- Recommend vitamin D supplements.
Other Tips to Avoid Falling
Elderly adults can also take simple steps to prevent a fall:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about falls and fall prevention. Tell your healthcare provider if you’ve had a recent fall. Although one out of four older Americans falls each year, less than half tell their doctor.
- Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medications that may make you more likely to fall.
- Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor once a year and update eyeglasses as needed.
- Participate in evidence-based exercises (like Tai Chi) that can improve your balance and strengthen your legs. Contact your local Council on Aging for information about what is available in your community.
- Make your home safer by getting rid of fall hazards.
Contact Us Today
At Nunez Law Firm, we want to make sure you are protected from slips and falls. Falling is never fun and can lead to devastating injuries. For more information, be sure to visit us or call to schedule an appointment. Our professionals look forward to hearing from you.
