--047d7bfcfa0aaa671d050bea6dc7 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable OK, I'll start with this one. Karine 2015-01-05 9:11 GMT-05:00 Timothy Thomas : > Good morning Karine, > > Here's an additional translation I would need before Thursday. > > *Senior Mobility and the Risk of Falls* > > We can all fall, however the fall of a senior can have a more devastating > impact. Statistically, one in three seniors over the age of 65 falls at > least once a year. Women are three times more likely to be hospitalized > than men for fall injuries. Men are more likely to die from the injuries= . > Half of the admissions to long-term care are fall related, and half of th= e > people who are injured do not get their full performance back. > > As caregivers, we have to be aware of the risk factors and th= e > key ways to prevent falls. Factors that we need to be alert to include > seniors living alone, slow reflexes, poor balance, bad posture, weakness, > decreased vision, decreased hearing, diagnosis of osteoporosis, stroke, o= r > Parkinson=E2=80=99s. We also need to be aware of poor nutrition, joint s= tiffness, > arthritis, and heart disease. Medication side effects such as > antidepressants, tranquilizers and antihypertensives can cause the client= s > to have drowsiness or low blood pressure, therefore, increasing the risk = of > falls. > > As educated and responsible caregivers, home assessment on an > ongoing basis requires alertness and execution of these fall prevention > techniques. > > Daily exercise, nutrition and hydration are crucial. Footwea= r > with good cushion support and nonslip soles are a basic must. On > awakening, have the client sit on the edge of the bed for a couple of > minutes before getting up in order to stabilize blood pressure. Make sur= e > stairs as well as corridors are well lit and that there are nightlights a= nd > cordless phones in all rooms. Bathrooms must be equipped with nonskid ba= th > mats, grab bars in the bathtub and shower area, with preferably a shower > chair. Floors must always be kept dry. In the house, all area rugs must > have nonslip/nonskid back, or be taped to the floor. There should not be > any cords or cluttering on the floors with any objects, newspapers or > electrical wires. Our clients must be educated in the use of their canes= , > walkers and wheelchairs. Toilet seats, chairs and couches should > accommodate each clients height. Ample space for them in the living area= s > to move around freely is a must. Placing benches in the entrance way or > hallway is critical if they require rest periods. > > Create sufficient time and never rush the client to complete > any activities of daily living. > > As easy as it is to fall, the good news is that it is just as > simple to implement these actions and avoid the risk of falling so that w= e > can extend and maintain a greater quality of life for our clients. > > > > Thanks. > > -- > > > *Timothy Thomas* > > *H