Ask The Expert
Preventing
Falls Can Help
Maintain Healthy
Lifestyles
A
ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, more than one in four older people
falls each year. One out of five falls causes a serious
injury such as broken bones or a head injury, and more than
800,000 people annually are hospitalized due to a fall injury.
Plus, falling once doubles the chances of falling again.
“Unfortunately, most falls are caused by more than one
thing,” says John Pennisi, D.O., a geriatric specialist who recently joined the NCH Physician Group in North Naples and
will be working with NCH’s Brookdale Geriatric Center. “As we
age, it’s usually not one system that’s failing but multiple ones
– gait and balance, vision loss, sensation in feet and legs, general muscle weakening, and numerous medications our elderly
population often takes. Combined, these factors put them at
higher risk for falling.”
Yet Dr. Pennisi is optimistic that there are ways people can
prevent falls.
First, he says, remain as active as possible. “We know when
people exercise, especially with a balance component like Tai
Chi, it has a pretty significant impact.” He recommends joining
a gym or participating in classes held as part of a gated community’s activities.
BY
ROBIN F.
DEMATTIA
Remain as active as
possible. We know
when people exercise,
especially with a balance
component, it has a pretty
significant impact.
Second, he says it is
important for patients
to tell their doctor if they
have fallen in the past
year and also to have
their
Vitamin
D
level
checked and an osteoporosis screening.
Third, controlling for
safety at home can help
with
falls.
Dr.
Pennisi
suggests inviting an occupational therapist to conduct a home
safety check (sometimes covered by insurance) to evaluate
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November 2016 - March 2017