HOW TO AVOID FALLS https://www.irishosteoporosis.ie/

The prevention of falls is important because many broken bones (fractures) occur due to falls. 1 in 3 people over age 65 and 1 in 2 people over 80 will have a fall each year. Broken bones can place a person at risk of losing their independence, even though most falls can be prevented.

Problems associated with falls increase as we get older. This guide is designed to help you, your family, & the people who care for you to minimize the risk of . Following these steps, can help decrease your chance of falling and make your home safer.

1. REGULAR EXERCISE 5. GETTING UP. 10. KEEP Get up slowly from chair WALKWAYS CLEAR. or bed. When you get up, blood pressure falls. As you get older, your body may take longer to adjust.

2. EASY GRIP HANDRAILS. Install on both sides of 11. MINIMIZE the . BENDING & CLIMBING. 6. REPLACE WORN Keep items used often CARPET/RUGS. within eye & hip level. Type to enter text To avoid slips/trips.

7. FOOTWEAR. 3. BATHROOM. Avoid ill fitting shoes, slippers, & Use a non-slip bath mat heels. in shower/bath. Install handrail near bath and/

or toilet. 8. HAVE 12. TELEPHONE. REGULAR Do not rush to EYE answer. Tell others it TESTS. may take you longer to answer.

13. FALLS. 9. LIGHTING. Have you had a recent 4. CLOTHING. Keep all areas well lit and a fall or nearly fallen? If Avoid clothes that can light near your bed. yes, speak to your GP. cause a trip or slip. FALL PREVENTION & https://www.irishosteoporosis.ie/

Question: What is Osteoporosis? Question: What is Osteopenia? - Osteoporosis causes bone to become -Osteopenia is the early stages of fragile and break easily. A simple sneeze Osteoporosis and can develop into can cause ribs to fracture (break) due to Osteoporosis unless prevention methods severe undiagnosed Osteoporosis. Bone are put in place. is a living tissue that is constantly being removed and replaced. Bones need Question: What are the signs/symptoms? normal sex hormones, calcium, vitamin -Broken bone due to trip or fall (low D, proteins and weight bearing/ trauma fracture) strengthening exercise to keep them -Upper, middle, or lower back pain, healthy. As we get older, more bone is especially if losing height or change in lost than is replaced. But, people with posture. Osteoporosis lose more bone than -A hump developing and/or change in people who do not have the disease. body shape/size. The cause of a hump should always be investigated. Question: Who is affected by this disease? -Protruding head from the person’s body - Osteoporosis affects both sexes and all age groups, even children. Osteoporosis Question: Who is at risk of developing is the leading bone disease in the world, Osteoporosis? even though it is preventable and -There are 200 reasons why a person may treatable in the majority of people. develop Osteoporosis, below are only a few: Question: What are the most common - Genetics- family history, especially of a fractures? broken hip. - The most common bones to fracture are - Eating disorders (past or present) the hip, spine and wrist, however it can - Steroids affect any bone. - Low Vitamin D levels - Gluten sensitivity/Coeliac Disease Question: Why is it called the “Silent disease?” - Gastrointestinal disorders - Osteoporosis is known as the silent - Klinefelter’s Syndrome disease because people with - Bone marrow disorders Osteoporosis cannot feel their bones - Connective tissue disease getting weaker. Typically the first sign/ - symptom that a person may already - Parkinson’s Disease have Osteoporosis is a broken bone from - Rheumatoid Arthritis a trip and fall. If a person’s bones were - Endocrine Disorders healthy they would not break so easily.