NEWSLETTER Your Resource for Health, Wellness & Caring For Your Body
Afraid of Falling? Physiotherapy Is Here To Catch You Mary, 74, was terrified of falling. (Note that her name has been changed.) She’d heard the statistics: Falls are a leading cause of injury among people over 60 and the second leading cause of injury deaths worldwide. And although she’d always taken advantage of the beaches and hiking trails here in Grand Cayman, she still found her balance changing as she grew older, which only deepened her fears. Like many people, Mary didn’t realize that the fear of falling can also be debilitating. That fear kept her close to home. She no longer went for beach walks with her husband, and she retired from her physically active hospitality job, becoming more sedentary than she had been 10 years earlier. Unfortunately, these changes actually increased her fall risk! But then Mary began seeing a physiotherapist to help with her hip pain. When she shared her concerns about falling, he incorporated fall-prevention strategies into her treatment plan, building Mary’s confidence enough that she returned to some of her favorite activities, like exploring nature trails and walking to a nearby friend’s house for afternoon lemonade. At The Physiotherapy Center Ltd., we know falls can be frightening. But we also know that fall prevention training can help you face your fears and give you the confidence to live an active, healthy lifestyle, even into old age. Ready to get started with your own fall prevention plan? Schedule an appointment with us today! Understanding Your Fall Risk Everyone’s fall risk is different. No single factor determines your likelihood of a fall; instead, it’s a complex blend of age, lifestyle choices, and health conditions. The more of these factors apply to you, the more likely you are to fall.
Which items on this fall risk list apply to you or a loved one? • Advanced age (60 years or older)
• Impaired balance or gait • Weakness in the lower body • Use of medications that can cause dizziness or balance issues • Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s
• Being female (women are more likely to suffer falls than men) • Joint pain, including from arthritis • Spells of dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation) • Decline in vision or hearing • Sedentary lifestyle
• Stroke survivor • A history of falls
If you think you might be at a high risk of falling, don’t get scared–give us a call! Our team of physiotherapists can assess your fall risk and provide you with a customized fall prevention plan that can lower the likelihood of a fall-related injury. Sources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-fractures-older-adults- causes-and-prevention, https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy- guide-falls, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls, https:// bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-019-1359-9
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