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How To Prevent Falls During Pregnancy

It happened when I was going down the steps in my home: my socked foot slipped off the edge of the stair and I fell on my butt. Fortunately I did not fall any farther down the stairway, but I nearly had a heart attack and I was worried for the safety of my baby. I was about six or seven months pregnant at the time. The baby and I were okay, but I was much more careful about stairs after that. A fall during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mom and baby, but mostly for mom. In most … Continue reading →

Ritalin may Help Prevent Falls

You may be familiar with Ritalin (methylphenidate) because of its use in treating hyperactivity… but a recent study took a look at other benefits the drug might have. The Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University held a study on the effects of Ritalin in older adults. Twenty-six healthy, independently living seniors participated in the study. Some were given a placebo; some were given Ritalin (or a generic equivalent). The seniors were given a fall screening test before and after the drugs were administered. The test required participants to: Rise from a sitting position Walk ten feet (approximately three … Continue reading →

Falls and Brain Injury

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Breaking a hip isn’t the only thing to fear when an older adult has an unintentional fall. Brain injury can cause long-term problems, affect how a person functions, and even impact emotional well-being! Some unpleasant statistics from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control study: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from a fall resulted in nearly 8,000 deaths in seniors and more than 50,000 hospitalizations in 2005. The death and hospitalization rates for TBI increase as age increases. The average hospital stay for an older adult with a fall-related TBI is four days. The average cost of a hospital stay for an … Continue reading →

Prevent Falls with Yoga

Research from Temple University’s Gait Study Center suggests that practicing a specific type of yoga can help prevent falls in women over the age of sixty-five. The Temple University study looked at participants in an Iyengar yoga program specifically designed for senior citizens who had little or no previous yoga experience. Why Iyengar yoga? The technique uses props like belts and blocks to help participants master poses gradually. Participants often feel more confident and comfortable working with the props. The class covered the most basic moves and techniques with an emphasis on proper breathing, stances, and poses. After nine weeks … Continue reading →

Sixteen Helpful Home Modifications for Seniors

Home modifications are one way to help a senior stay in his or her home safely — rather than have to relocate with family or to an assisted living facility. Modifications can help a person adapt to changes in ability and health, prevent falls, and more. In the bathroom: Replace the toilet with a higher (taller) model or one with a longer seat to make it easier to get up and down. This is especially useful for people in wheelchairs or with hip issues. Install grab bars around the bathtub and toilet to make getting up and down easier and … Continue reading →

Dealing with Occasional Dizziness

There are different types of dizziness — some that require a doctor’s attention. But if you experience occasional, mild bouts of dizziness, you probably don’t have to worry too much. Here are some tips to help you overcome occasional bouts of mild dizziness. Focus on a fixed point. If a sudden bout of dizziness comes on, find something still to look at. This will give your brain visual information about balance — that window frame or bookshelf isn’t moving so maybe the floor ISN’T off-kilter. If dizziness attacks in a moving vehicle, try to find a steady point on the … Continue reading →