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Print | YORK REGION>Services>Public Health and Safety>Injury Prevention |
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Health Professionals - Seniors Program
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Facts · Approximately 30% of community-dwelling Canadian seniors experience at least one fall each year (Canadian Health Survey, 2002/03). · Falls cause over 90% of all hip fractures in older adults — 20% die within a year (Hip Fracture, New England Journal of Medicine (1996), 334(23), p. 1519-25). · Falls account for 87% of all injury admissions to hospital for persons over the age of 65 (1999 Ontario Trauma Registry). · Female fall rates exceed male rates in all age groups for seniors (Canadian Health Survey, 2002/03). Risk factors 1. Medications: · taking benzodiazepines and tranquilizers · using 4 or more medications (polypharmacy) 2. Physical health: · normal physiological changes associated with aging · physiological changes associated with disease processes · inadequate hydration and poor nutritional status · inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake · previous history of falls 3. Level of physical activity: · lack of regular physical activity 4. Environmental factors: · unsafe clothing and footwear · poor lighting · loose rugs/mats, household clutter, lack of safety devices such as stair handrail or bathtub grab bars, wet floor surfaces and or/icy walkways Services offered · workshops and displays for groups of seniors and health professionals · telephone counseling upon request · print resources upon request · consultations Written resources are available as pdfs, or to order paper copies, please print off and fax our order form. For more information, please contact
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