Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Winter 2018

SkyLakes.org | LIVE smart 3 By Joyce Chadderdon, PT, DPT, NCS Sky Lakes Outpatient Rehabilitation Preventing falls begins with an awareness of the things that could cause harm. Falling—one of the leading health concerns for people over the age of 60—is often related to balance problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, millions of adults fall, and 1 in 5 of those falls leads to a serious injury. A person’s fall risk increases from 40 percent to more than 82 percent each decade after age 65. Balance in walking and standing depends on many factors. Good balance requires reliable sensory input from your eyes, your vestibular system (the balance system of the inner ear) and your proprioceptors, which sense position and movement in the feet and legs. As we age, we are more likely to experience a degeneration of the vestibular system and a variety of On the cover: Brown Mountain in the Cascades of south-central Klamath County is a favorite place for skiers in winter and hikers in drier seasons. Photo by Stewart Decker, MD, a Klamath Falls family practice physician. Information in Live Smart comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. LIVE smart Smart Findyourbalance Reduceyour riskofa fall P.3 Mindyourmeds Tips for takingOTC medicines safelyP.5 Winter 2018 Stay on track Healthyeating ideas for the holidays P. 4 Take steps to avoid a fall diseases that affect these systems— such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration that affect vision and peripheral neuropathy that impairs proprioception in the feet and legs. Balance depends on muscle strength, joint mobility and foot health. A sedentary lifestyle, painful arthritis, or diseases of bones and muscles can compromise strength and mobility. Additionally, balance control depends on the brain to process and interpret sensory information, select appropriate balance strategies, and adapt and learn new strategies with practice. Brain processing can slow down with age, and that can result in slower balance responses. FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED! Falling doesn’t have to be a normal part of aging—a few precautions can help you stay on your feet. For help and healing, call Sky Lakes Outpatient Rehabilitation at 541-274-6406 . Here are a few simple precautions that can help reduce the risk of falls: 1. Getting good nutrition. 2. Getting regular exercise, such as walking and strength training. 3. Minimizing the number of medications. With guidance from a physician, an older person might be able to cut back on medications. A pharmacist can also recommend ways to reduce potential side effects and drug interactions that cause dizziness and imbalance. 4. Creating a safe environment. For example, install handrails and anti-skid devices in bathrooms. Make sure an older person has good lighting, clear walkways and secure footing. 5. Learning to maintain or improve balance with physical therapy and healthy habits. Five ways to reduce your risk