Health Tip: Getting Up After a Fall
If you fall, you can injure yourself even more just by trying to get back on your feet.
Here are suggestions on how seniors can pull themselves back up safely after a fall, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
* Take a few deep breaths and don't panic. If you feel like you are hurt, call for help if there's someone close by. In any case, don't try to get up until you feel better.
* If you feel like you are not hurt, try rolling onto your side, turning your head in the direction you are rolling.
* Crawl over to a chair, couch or other sturdy piece of furniture, and slowly pull yourself up.
* Put your hands down flat on the furniture. Bend your stronger knee and keep the other knee on the floor, and slowly stand up.
* Slowly twist yourself around and sit down on the chair or couch. Call a family member or emergency services if you need help.
Health Tip: Early-Stage Alzheimer's
People with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may fear losing their independence and being reliant on someone else.
Here are suggestions on how to maintain independence longer, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:
* Hire a service or ask a friend to help with activities, such as paying bills, cooking meals, cleaning the house or going to the grocery.
* Write instructions on how to work appliances, place labels on items you frequently forget, and compose notes to help you remember to perform certain tasks.
* Help keep your home safe by reducing the risk of slips and falls. For example, install grab bars in the bathroom. Also, make sure appliances have automatic shutoffs.
* Enroll in a safety alert program, so you can immediately get help if you need it.
* If you can't drive, get a bus schedule, have a cab company's phone number handy, or ask friends and family to drive you.
* Try to stay as physically and socially active as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
No comments:
Post a Comment