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Parkland hosts free fall prevention assessments, workshops

  • Published: 9/10/2018
Parkland hosts free fall prevention assessments, workshops

Experts offer advice for avoiding deadly falls

For older adults worried about slipping, tripping or tumbling, a report published this spring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wasn’t reassuring. Not only are falls the leading cause of injury and death from injury for those over 65, the CDC also found that the rate of death from falls increased a staggering 31 percent from 2007 to 2016.

“Every year more than 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments in the U.S. for fall injuries and over 800,000 patients are hospitalized as a result, usually due to head injury or hip fracture,” said Jorie Klein, BSN, RN, Trauma Program Director at the Rees-Jones Trauma Center at Parkland Memorial Hospital. “These injuries often lead to life-threatening complications or permanent disability for older adults.”

With the dramatic rise in fall fatalities, experts say it’s more important than ever to focus on falls as a serious risk for seniors. During September, Fall Prevention Awareness Month, Parkland’s Department of Geriatrics will host a series of free events to the public offering fall risk assessments, information about how to decrease your fall risk and the opportunity to speak with a Parkland podiatrist, pharmacist or physical therapist about fall risks. The events will be held on the following dates and times at Parkland Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) health centers:

  • Thursday, Sept. 13 at Parkland Geriatrics Center, 1936 Amelia Court, 1st floor, Dallas 75235, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 21 at the Hatcher Station Health Center, 4600 Scyene Road, Dallas 75210, 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 14 at the Garland Health Center, 802 Hopkins, Garland 75040, 12 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Bluitt-Flowers Health Center, 303 E. Overton Road, Dallas 75216, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 21 at the Southeast Dallas Health Center, 9202 Elam Road, Dallas 75217, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 27 at the deHaro-Saldivar Health Center, 1400 N. Westmoreland Road, Dallas 75211, 1 p.m.–3 p.m.

“Preventing falls should be a top priority for older adults, their families and caregivers,” said LaTrica Hicks, PhD, Geriatric Education Coordinator at Parkland. “There are many things older individuals can do to decrease their risk of falling and improve their outcomes if they do fall, including creating a safer home environment and improving their balance and strength.”

Exercise is your number one ally in preventing falls and building strong bones that are less prone to fracture if you do fall, according to Donna Crump, PT, Director of Outpatient Physical Therapy at Parkland.

“Studies show that people lose about 30 percent of their muscle power between the ages of 50 and 70 and that can increase their risk of falls and fractures. Strength training can reverse age-related muscle loss. Using resistance bands, doing push-ups or planks and lifting weights are great ways to rebuild or retain muscles and also help keep bones healthy,” Crump said.

Improving balance is another focus for fall prevention. “Activities like tai chi that focus on balance and coordination have been proven to reduce falls in seniors,” Crump said. “It’s also important to make sure people assisted by walkers or canes use them correctly. They should be about the height of your wrist when your arms are at your sides and should have good rubber tips. Hold the cane on your stronger side. Make sure you step ‘in’ to a walker and don’t let it get too far ahead of you.”

Dr. Hicks recommends that every senior take the following steps to prevent falls:

  • Begin a balance and exercise program to improve strength, flexibility and stability
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about your fall risk and share your history of recent falls
  • Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist regularly to make sure side effects are not increasing your fall risk. Take medications only as prescribed
  • Get your vision and hearing checked every year and update your eyeglasses with new prescription lenses as needed
  • Keep your home safe — remove tripping hazards, improve lighting, install grab bars where needed and make stairs safe
  • Talk to family members to get their support to help you stay safe.

To learn more about services at Parkland hospital, visit www.parklandhospital.com


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