September is Fall Awareness Month

Did You Know …

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall.*

Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.*

Falls account for 25% of all hospital admissions, and 40% of all nursing home admissions. Among those who are admitted to a nursing home, nearly half will never return to independent living.* 

Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.* 

The good news is that falls are preventable and improving your posture goes a long way toward this goal.

In fact, in just a few minutes each day, you can help prevent future falls, as well as unnecessary pain and discomfort, while at the same time improving how you feel and even how you look.

Dr. Jennifer Paul serves as Etheredge Chiropractic’s Certified Posture Exercise Professional (CPEP).  The CPEP program is the clinical standard for posture rehabilitation and improvement protocols for health professionals in the United States, and around the world.

During the program, patients meet with Dr. Paul once a week for eight weeks. During these visits, patients are shown posture strengthening exercises. When these exercises are incorporated into daily routine, they have a dramatic effect on balance, alignment, and symmetry of motion, in turn helping to prevent falls and injury.

Most people who participate in the program and make the exercises part of their lifestyle, also report relief from neck pain and back pain.

If you’re ready to improve your posture and mobility — and prevent falls — book a Posture Exercise Program appointment with Dr. Paul today!

In addition to incorporating strengthening and balance exercises into your routine, the CDC and National Fire Protection Association offer these tips for preventing falls:

-Talk to your doctor and review your medications.
-Have your eyes checked annually to update glasses.
-Make your home safer by installing grab bars
-Wear sturdy, non-skid shoes
-Take your time when getting out of chairs slowly. Stand and get your balance before you walk.
– Clear stairs and walkways, indoors and out, free of clutter and other obstacles.
-Prevent slipping by using non-slip mats in the bathtub and the shower and install grab bars.
– Safeguard uneven surfaces by using non-skid backings on rugs.
– Tread carefully. Take your time.
– Wear sturdy, well-fitted, low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles.

You can also download a Fall Prevention Checklist from The Villages Public Safety Department, by clicking here.

*As reported by Age Safe America