Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/897991
THE According to the governor's Fall Prevention Awareness proclamation, "Every 12 seconds in Wisconsin, an adult aged 65 or older has to visit an emergency room or is hospitalized because of a fall." Safe and Simp le TIPS FOR STANDING TALL AS TEMPERATURES DROP THIS PAST JULY, Governor Scott Walker signed a proclamation that included a startling statistic: "Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among seniors [in the state], ranking Wisconsin second in the nation for fall-related deaths." In addition to acknowledging the seriousness of this health risk, the proclamation praised fall-prevention programs initiated by both public and private health care organizations throughout the state and deemed September 2017 Fall Prevention Awareness Month. To make sure you and your loved ones remain safe this winter, Chris Makuck, PT, Rehabilitation Manager for Home Health and Hospice at HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital, offers the following suggestions: ✳ Get a firm grasp. "We treat a lot of people who should be using a walker or a cane but choose not to," Makuck says. "It certainly helps to employ the devices that have been prescribed." Similarly, most staircases and walkways have railings to assist you. Use them when you can. DON'T LET THE URGE TO STAY IN OR A LACK OF EQUIPMENT KEEP YOU FROM EXERCISING. "FORGETTING" TO FOLLOW through with your workouts is easy to do during the winter, when the winds are howling and everything seems better from beneath a blanket. But getting your daily dose of movement is still important, especially during a time of year when you might be consuming a few extra calories. "Our bodies are made to move," says Jody Pulver, Physical Therapist in the Home Health Department with HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital. "Exercise can help enhance strength and prevent circulation problems, so staying active throughout the year is essential to overall wellness." To get a proper workout in the comfort of your own home, you only need a pair of tennis shoes and a few household props. Set yourself up in a room with nonslip floors that are free from clutter and electrical cords. You could perform lunges while watching your favorite shows, or lift soup cans to tone your biceps and triceps. Other home- friendly exercises include: Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. If you don't have a primary care doctor, visit sacredhearteauclaire.org or stjoeschipfalls.org. For more information about Home Health Services, visit hshsathome.org or call 715.717.7485. ✳ Chair squats ✳ Wall push-ups ✳ Sit-ups ✳ Marching in place ✳ Stretching In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one experiences a fall, our Home Care Services can assist with recovery. Call 715.717.7485 to learn more. AT-HOME ACTIVITIES ✳ Put your best foot forward. Avoid shoes with heels or leather-bottom soles during the winter. ✳ Take your time. When walking on a surface that you suspect is slippery, widen your stance and go slow. ✳ Steer clear. Make sure driveways and outdoor stairs remain free from clutter and ice. ✳ Make a smooth transition. Different ground surfaces can have vastly different levels of traction, so use caution when going from the garage to the driveway or from the grass to the sidewalk. In addition, Makuck encourages seniors to keep their cell phones with them as much as possible, so that in the case of a fall they can contact help. 3 S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G