AR Gould Urges Caution for Fall Prevention Week

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - This week is fall prevention week and healthcare professionals are sharing tips on how to best prevent trips and falls as we head into the winter season. AR Gould’s physical therapy department says it’s important to take precautions, maintain good physical health, and exercise regularly to help prevent falls.

Rachel Emery, a Physical Therapist at AR Gould Hospital said: “Over 65 the fall risk certainly increases. 1 in 4 Americans are likely to fall above that age and a good percentage of those can result in injuries so preventing falls is very important. Some of the key factors that cause falls are just typical things around your home clutter, cords tend to get in people’s way quite a bit, and then poor lighting. Dark hallways, or dark stairwells, things like that, pantries tend to be a little bit dark. So, installing night lights is another good tool. Also, we see loose railings, rickety steps, things like that, and this is actually a tricky time where we’re getting frost. Frost on wooden doorsteps can be very slick and then certainly ice itself.”

Emery says as the weather gets colder locals should salt or sand their walkways to help prevent slips and falls. She also says if you have any difficulty with balance or dizziness consult your doctor immediately. She says the key to fall prevention is to take precautions.