Community News

Citizens Corp Emergency Response CommitteeSeptember MessageGreen Valley Fire District (GVFD):
September is Fall Prevention Month
One Fall (Autumn) is inevitable every year, but the second type of fall does not have to be inevitable. Consequences of the second type of fall for any age group can be severe, even life changing. Seniors, however, are particularly vulnerable to falls. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury for people over the age of 65 and are a contributing factor for accidental death in this age group. It is reported that 1/3 of people over 65 fall yearly. Within this group, 50% of these falls represent recurrent events.
When we think of falls, we commonly associate fractures as the main injury sustained from a fall. This may be true for a younger person who fractures an arm, for example. However, in the 65 and older age group, falls can lead to permanent disability, depression, social isolation, and a big hit to financial stability.  

Why are Senior Citizens more vulnerable to falls? Walking and staying vertical in simple terms involve a brain that is inputting and responding to environmental stimuli (oops there’s a curb ahead) a neurologic network that communicates to your muscles (hey thigh muscles and calves stop walking), and muscles that can respond to the command to stop walking. The individual in this instance must be able to see the curb, hear the traffic, interpret it as dangerous, and accomplish the task of pausing at the curb. This integrated response is coordinated in a complex way. Let’s consider the different vulnerabilities for a fall:
- Cognition and Concentration: Impairment of these abilities are often due to neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, tumors, dementia, and fluid buildup in the brain known as hydrocephalus. Depression and other psychological diagnoses can also affect cognition. Environmental factors such as extreme heat, excessive cold, or lack of oxygen can affect cognition. Loss of vision and hearing can prevent the brain from recognizing appropriate stimuli, and this loss of cognition can contribute to falls.
- Neurological Diseases: These diseases can affect gait and posture. Examples are Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy, or any seizure disorder.
- Musculoskeletal Diseases: These diseases can interfere with muscle strength and response. Examples are any condition that affects joints and any condition that causes chronic pain, resulting in impaired gait and posture.
- Sensory loss: These losses include vision loss, hearing loss, and loss of proprioception (unconscious ability to sense movement, action, or the position/location of your body). An example of a common medical condition that can cause sensory loss in the feet is diabetes. Deformities that cause pain, such as bunions, can also affect gait.
What are environmental factors associated with falling? Environmental assessments for fall prevention in the home stress maximizing safety, which includes preventing falls. As the homeowner’s needs change, changes to the physical environment can make a difference in allowing the resident to continue to live safely at home. It is noted that approximately 28 % of all falls occur at home. An additional 25% of falls occur on curbs and sidewalks just outside of the home.
The most common contributing factors for falls include: 

• Slippery surfaces: Showers, bathroom floors when wet, kitchen. 
• Throw rugs, non-tacked down carpet, worn out rugs, uneven flooring. 
• Clutter is a big contributor to tripping and falling. Walkways inside the home as well as outdoor walkways leading to home entrances should be clutter-free. 
• Electrical cords should not be crossing the floor and should be secured. 
• Stairs: Safety assessments for stairs include the stability and sturdiness of the actual steps, the presence of railings that are firmly in place, and good lighting for the entire length of the stairway. 
• Reaching for things that are not within reach. Avoid standing on an unstable surface such as a folding chair. A step stool should have a safety bar and a wide base. 
• Evaluate all the rooms in the house for safety: Are there lamps within reach at bedside? Is there a night light? Is there a flashlight? 
• Bathroom: Nonslip strips in the tub, grab bars for tub, shower, and for getting off the toilet. High toilet seats can ease the ability to rise from the toilet seat. 
• Be willing to rethink the layout for the home: For example, if the bedroom is upstairs, perhaps it is time to move into a downstairs room. Be willing to rearrange furniture so that tripping or bumping into furniture is not a risk. 
• Know where your pets are when you are changing positions and walking within the home to avoid tripping over your pet. 
• Address sensory deficits such as decreased hearing or vision. Have a hearing test and use your hearing aid. Keep your glasses prescription up to date. 
• Pay attention to footwear: Shoes should fit properly. Consider Velcro rather than shoelaces 

As part of the GVFD monthly safety article, we gladly mention that a Fall Prevention program is available for those who live in the Green Valley community. Valley Assistance Services offers a program called Safety Health in Motion or SHIM. The GVFD is a community partner that provides volunteers to assist with this program. It is truly our mission to reduce the number of falls.
If a member of our community has fallen at home and the house is locked up, that presents an access issue to allow GVFD responders to get to the injured person. GVFD offers a solution to this problem by offering residential lock boxes that are installed at the home. This program allows the Green Valley Fire District members to access the home in case of any emergency when the homeowner can’t open the door for help to come in.
In closing, remember these basic elements to keep you from falling: “V.E.R.N.”
Vision: Have your eyes checked regularly. Exercise: Have a regular exercise program based on your own abilities. Review: Review your daily medications with your doctor as it refers reducing falls. Now: It’s time to ensure your safety. Remove clutter and trip hazards.
Green Valley Council | 555 N. La Canada, Ste. 117 Green Valley, AZ 85614 | 520-648-1936 | info@gvcouncil.org | www.gvcouncil.orgLike us on Facebook ! 

Contact Us at Hotline@gvrec.org

Click here for past issues of the GVR Update

 Drop-in room use is here! Starting Monday, December 12, weekly schedules will be posted next to most meeting rooms on the campus. Between reservations, members are welcome to use rooms while applying the wilderness lover's ethic: LEAVE NO TRACE. When staff need to come in to set up for the next activity, we ask drop-in users to exit promptly. All unreserved rooms in major centers will be locked at 8pm. The following rooms will not be available for drop-in use: kitchens in major centers, West Center rooms, the Mesquite Room at Canoa Hills, and the Art Rooms at East Center and Santa Rita Springs. If a room does NOT have a posted schedule, it is exempt from drop-in use.