Preventing injuries is one of the easiest ways to protect your health and ensure successful aging. Every four minutes in Ontario, at least one senior visits an emergency department and every 20 minutes at least one senior is hospitalized due to an injury. Fortunately, most injuries are predictable and preventable.
Prevent a Fall
Falling can have a major impact on the life of a senior and their family. A serious fall can result in a major life change due to disability including loss of independence and a change in living arrangements. Fortunately, most falls can be prevented.
Stay safe and stay independent with these helpful tips:
Being active every day helps to protect you from injury and keeps you strong and flexible.
Daily exercise will:
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make you more flexible and mobile
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make your bones and muscles stronger
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improve your balance and coordination
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increase your endurance
Exercise is a great way to gain strength and improve fitness.
You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive workout equipment, even walking works! The important thing is to choose an activity that you enjoy and keep moving!
Learn more about how active living helps seniors stay independent.
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Alcohol has a greater effect on older adults because of the metabolism changes that occur as our bodies age. Older people’s sensitivity to the effects of alcohol puts them at even greater risk if the alcohol is combined with either prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Knowing the facts about drinking alcohol will reduce your risk of falls or other injury.
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Eating well is often thought to be about dieting and sacrifice. Actually, it is more of a lifestyle that embraces colourful food, creativity in the kitchen, and eating with friends and family.
For seniors, the benefits of healthy eating include improved mental capacity, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, and better management of chronic health conditions. Eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced as you age.
Learn more about healthy eating for seniors
As we age, its normal for our driving abilities to change. This doesn’t mean that seniors need to stop driving. Seniors just need to pay attention to any warning signs that age is interfering with their driving safety and make the needed adjustments.
Learn more about how aging affects driving safely from the Ministry of Transportation
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The majority of injuries are predictable and preventable.
Safety is no accident!