Every year all across the US, more than 30 percent of seniors over the age of 65 slips and falls. Why is this important fact you may ask? The reason being is that slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury to seniors above the age of 65. Two of the biggest concerns are seniors slipping and falling while alone in their place of residence with no means of getting up and asking for help. Falling outdoors is also a major concern because the San Diego senior may end up falling on hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. Falling on these hard surfaces greatly increases the dangers of concussions and broken bones.
Another outcome of slip and fall accidents include the senior developing a fear of falling. While the senior may have not been injured in the initial fall, the mental anguish that the fall may have caused is just as dangerous. This fear of falling can prohibit a San Diego Senior from pursuing and enjoying the regular activities they have enjoyed in the past. These fears may lead to non-activity for the senior and can lead to more physical problems such as loss of muscle mass and brittle bones.
Close to half of all falls occur outdoors and are related to walking. In many of these cases the seniors may have been walking on uneven surfaces such as unfinished asphalt and landscaping. Even more staggering is that over 70 percent of seniors who fall outdoors land on a hard surface such as concrete, asphalt or stone.
With these facts in mind, here are a few tips to make sure San Diego Seniors are safe from these slip and fall accidents:
- Stay aware from unfinished and uneven landscaping terrain and slippery surfaces such as wet spots and icy terrain
- Make sure to gauge the height of curbs, stairs and sidewalks before stepping up or down on them. Many times San Diego Seniors underestimate the inclines which can lead to serious fall accidents. Always ask for help and assistance if there is any doubt.
- Make sure to walk on grass if possible over sidewalks or trails that appear to be uneven and slippery. The grass areas usually provide more stability and traction when in proper weather conditions.
- Vision is a key to safety success. Make sure you have the correct and prescription of your glasses and lenses. Also make sure to invest in a good pair of sunglasses which will help eliminate blinding glasses that can hide and distract San Diego Seniors from hazards.
- Make sure to walk in well-lit areas to help avoid any unseen hazards that may be lurking
- Invest in a comfortable fanny pack or lightweight backpack to help free up your arms for added balance
- Being proactive also does help in the cause to help minimize injuries if a fall does occur. Hip pads, knee pads, and helmets should be worn to help protect against broken bones and concussions.
- Invest in a good pair of walking shoes. They will provide better balance and traction that will help prevent the slip and fall accidents from happening.