Preventing Senior Slips, Trips & Falls

Just about anyone realizes how important it is to have sure footing if you have to trudge around in snow.

But for many of us, it doesn’t stop with the outdoors.

Staff from a nursing and rehab facility in Munising visited the Marquette Senior Center, showing how to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Many understand that they’re more common as we age.

But many of us don’t realize just how common they are and how much of a health problem they can pose.

Tendercare Nursing & Rehab physical therapist Crystal Brasseur says slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of hospital stays among people 65 and older.

A lot of those steps are simple common-sense practical measures, like keeping snow and ice cleared, putting up touch lamps in darkened areas, or making sure to stay as active as possible.

Brasseur says the more active you are, the less likely you are to fall.

Throw rugs are a very common culprit.

They suggest either getting rid of them altogether or placing a non-skid pad beneath them that you can buy for about $10.