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in the News ...
Age 65 and Up: Fatal Falls Increasing
Falls Are the No. 1 Cause of Accidental Deaths in People Age 65 and Older
Nov. 17, 2006 -- Falls are the top cause of accidental deaths in people age 65 and older, and fatal fall rates are rising, says the CDC.
The CDC reports that 13,700 people age 65 and older died of fall-related injuries in 2003.
For comparison, more than 563,000 people in that age group died of heart disease and more than 388,000 died of cancer in 2003.
Fatal fall rates rose for both men and women between 1993 and 2003, with higher rates for men.
Forty-six per 100,000 men age 65 and older died from falls in 2003. That rate is 45% higher than in 1993.
Among women of the same age, about 31 per 100,000 died from falls in 2003, a 60% increase since 1993.
The figures appear in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Nonfatal Falls
Overall, no major changes were seen in rates for nonfatal fall injuries.
More women than men are hospitalized for hip fractures.
But hip fracture hospitalization rates for women age 65 and older "appear to be declining," while men's hip fracture rate "has not decreased and might be increasing," says the CDC.
Women's hip fracture hospitalization rates might be down due to wider screening and treatment of osteoporosis in women, notes the CDC.
Men typically get osteoporosis and hip fractures later than women. "Screening and osteoporosis treatment might be broadened to include older men," says the CDC.
"Injuries from falls, and the fear of falling, lead older adults to limit their activities, which can interfere with independent living. But we know that falls are not inevitable," says Ileana Arias, PhD, in a CDC news release.
Arias directs the CDC's Injury Center.
Preventing Falls
Preventing Falls
The CDC's web site includes these tips on fall prevention for older adults:
- Exercise regularly (get your doctor's approval first).
- Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medicines, including over-the-counter medicines.
- Have your vision checked at least once yearly by an eye doctor.
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
- Wear shoes inside and outside the house.
- Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.
- Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone.
- Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can't get up.
- Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you fall and can't get up.
Home Safety Tips
The CDC's web site also includes tips for older adults on making homes safer to help prevent falls:
- Improve the lighting.
- Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.
- Remove throw rugs or use them with a nonslip backing.
- Keep objects like papers, books, and towels off the floor.
- Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can't trip over them.
- Fix loose or uneven steps.
- Put overhead lights at the top and bottom of steps.
- Make sure carpet on steps is firmly attached to every step.
- Put nonslip rubber treads on uncarpeted stairs.
- Fix loose handrails.
- Paint a contrasting color on the top edge of all steps so you can see the stairs better. For instance, use a light-colored paint on dark wood.
SOURCES: CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Nov. 17, 2006; vol 55: pp 1221-1224. CDC: "10 Leading Causes of Death, United States, 2003, All Races, Both Sexes." CDC and MetLife Foundation: "Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults." News release, CDC.
Pick Your Own Farms in Georgia
It's summer and fresh fruit and vegetables abound! Experts say we should eat 7 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. What better way to enjoy them than to pick them yourself. By picking the produce yourself, you will also save money. Pick larger quanties and freeze the extra for later.
In Georgia, there are many "pick your own" farms, but PickYourOwn.org provides links to farms across the US.
Visit PickYourOwn.org
Drive Safe with CarFit
Studies suggest that drivers tend to drive 8 – 10 years longer than their driving ability should safely allow. Most older adults understand this as much as their families and caretakers do. CarFit is a program created by American Society on Aging in partnership with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. It is designed to improve the safety of older adults behind the wheel by making small changes in their habits and in the vehicles they drive.
The supporting website is scheduled to go live July 1 and can be found at: http://www.asaging.org/cdc/index.cfm
Additional resources can be found at: http://www.asaging.org/drivewell
Take Charge Tips
Eat Healthy
- Rennovate Holiday Recipes
What would the holidays be without the traditional sweets and treats? We all have our own favorites. Some foods represent long-held traditions; others simply taste wonderful and we can’t wait to enjoy them at special holiday dinners. Health is important and it is helpful to be at least reasonable some of the days throughout the holiday season. It is possible to make slight modifications to most any recipe and turn it from "death by dessert" to "health by dessert."
Recipe Makeovers: 5 Ways to Create Healthy Recipes
Use these techniques to reduce the fat, calories and sodium in your favorite recipes. The website also includes an interactive recipe makeover tool.
Be Active - Holiday Exercise Tips
Let's be realistic, shall we? Chances are, we will all eat just a little bit more than usual this holiday season. Experts recommend a a realistic approach to the situation. Simply put, if you eat more, simple move more. By maintaining regular exercise habits, perhaps adding a little more activity, the extra calories are less likely to result in weight gain during the holidays.
For more information about holiday exercise tips, visit the following websites:
Get Checked - for HIV/AIDS
It is estimated that 10 - 15% of all AIDS cases occur in adults over age 50.
Between 1991 and 1996, AIDS cases in the over-50 population rose more than twice as fast as those among younger adults. Because of general lack of awareness about AIDS for this group of people, they have been omitted from research, clinical drug trials, educational prevention programs and intervention efforts.
Despite myths and stereotypes, many seniors are sexually active, and, some are drug users; therefore, their behaviors can put them at risk for HIV infection.
December 1 is World AIDS Day. December is a good month to educate yourself and family about AIDS and to consider your risk of contracting the HIV virus.
For more information about HIV/AIDS and testing, please visit the following websites:
SOURCE: National Association on HIV Over Fifty, Educational Tipsheet on HIV/AIDS and Older Adults.
Be Smoke Free - Give the Gift of your Health
Improvements in your health begin just 20 minutes after your last cigarette. It's true. Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse return to normal. The benefits multiply over the next hour, days, and years. If you smoke, give the gift of your better health to your family and friends.
For more information about the benefits of quitting, visit the following websites:
Be Positive - Manage Hoilday Stress
"The Holidays.” What an array of emotions that simple phrase can stir. The Jack-O-Latern candles are snuffed. The holiday season has begun. It’s “The Holidays” and you should feel excited and joyful, right?
Well, as joyful as it is, this time of year can also be quite harried and stressful. So why not take the bull by the horns this year. Have a positive influence on this season by managing the stress that comes with all that joy.
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