photo by SORS member Gabi Battaglini
How To Lower Your Risk of Falling
By SORS Volunteer Gabi Battaglini
It’s one of those texts you don’t want to get, and I got three of them in just over a month’s time. Somebody fell. Not your casual pop right back up kind of tumble, but the serious kind. The sort that can be, and in one case was, fatal.
I’m not sharing this to scare you. I’m telling you this because we don’t talk enough about falls or we act like they’re something that happens only to elderly folks or workers in dangerous jobs. We really don’t want to think about the fact that anybody can fall and get seriously hurt or worse. And we need to change that.
Why? Our volunteers responded to 1,300 calls last year and 413 of them involved falls. That doesn’t count the number of calls our Technical Rescue Team responded to because someone fell in the woods or another hard-to-reach location. Anybody can fall.
We can’t totally prevent falling, but we sure can make them less likely — and make it easier to get help.
Of the 1,300 calls SORS responded to last year, 413 involved someone who fell. Photo by Sri Mani
How to reduce the risk of falling
Light the way. That’s the best way to avoid tripping over or bumping into things that make you fall. Proper lighting is important, especially at night and on stairways. Light- and motion-sensor fixtures are the easiest options because you don’t even have to get to the switch. Lighting is really important when you’re in an unfamiliar place, like a hotel or B&B. Bonus tip: Use the banister or handrail when taking the stairs. Fix it, don’t forget it. We often overlook other conditions that could make us fall. When you see a potential hazard, address it! That means quickly wiping up spills or puddles in the kitchen, bathroom or entryway. Moving that electrical cord out of the way as soon as you notice it. Securing loose carpeting, steps and banisters as soon as possible. Creating a little extra room around furniture so the path is easier to navigate. Do some home improvement. A few easy projects can make your home or office safer. Install safety tape or paint the edge of steps so they’re easier to see, particularly at night. Even out that uneven walkway. Put in handrails or grab bars near the shower or toilet. Understand your meds. Some medications can impact your ability to stay on your feet. That includes drugs that make you drowsy. Make sure you read the cautions on the label and take additional action to protect yourself. Bonus tip: Get your eyes and prescription lenses checked regularly. Wear the right shoes. It sounds obvious, but…footwear does influence fall risk. Wear sturdy shoes when your walk takes you off well-maintained surfaces like sidewalks. Be mindful when wearing flip-flops and other slide-in shoes that can come partially off. And definitely choose grippy, stable boots or shoes when walking in snow, sleet or on frozen ground. Talk about it. It might be awkward, but when we talk about the likelihood of falls with our friends and fam, we raise their awareness and maybe we can agree to take steps to reduce hazards and risks. Don’t save these chats for after an accident.If you’re 55 or older, you can participate in the County’s Stay Up and Active program. This joint initiative between the County’s Community Health and Safety Bureau and Department on Aging offers residents who have experienced or are at risk of falls free home assessments, education and resource navigation support. To schedule yours, email the Community Paramedics at Community_Paramedics@orangecountync.gov.
Falls can happen anywhere. Here, three SORS volunteers participate in a practice drill at Kenan Stadium. Photo by SORS member Gabi Battaglini
Taking my own advice
I live in a house with stairs and I do a lot of walking in the woods. Things happen! So, in addition to being thoughtful about slip, trip and fall potential, I got an Apple Watch with the fall package. In fact, that’s why I got the watch. And it works. I’ve taken two pretty good falls (one resulting in a broken ankle) and my watch accurately clocked them, buzzed to get my attention and confirm the fall, and asked if I wanted to call EMS. Had I not responded, it would called 9-1-1 without me and reported my location.
That’s just one option. There are other kinds of wearables and full-on medical alert systems. All this tech gets cheaper every year, so if you can afford it, get it.
What to do if you fall
It’s smart to think now about what you’ll do if you or someone you’re with takes a tumble. Consider how you’d:
Get yourself or the other person into a sitting or standing position. IMPORTANT: If you don’t think you can help them up in a way that’s safe for both of you, don’t even try. Dial 9-1-1. You can’t help if you’re hurt, too. Call for help, especially if you’re on your own or your phone’s not in reach.If the first responders suggest going to the hospital or urgent care, please go! One of my friends fell on campus — hard enough that 9-1-1 was called. After the EMTs examined and assessed him, they suggested going to the Emergency Room for further evaluation. He refused. “Didn’t walk right for about a month,” he laments now. Don’t be like my friend.
It’s also a good idea to tell your primary care provider that you fell, even if you didn’t get medical care. Falls can have follow-on effects or be early indicators of a more serious condition.
We want you to avoid falling if you can, but when it does happen, we’re ready to respond and get you the help you need as quickly as possible. Stay safe!
The South Orange Dispatch is a monthly column on Chapelboro by the South Orange Rescue Squad: an all volunteer, 501c3 non-profit providing EMS and technical rescue services in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area of Orange County since 1971.
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