Transcript FLIPS – Florida Injury Prevention for Seniors

Florida Injury Prevention
Programs for Seniors (FLIPS)
Falls Prevention,
Fire Safety, and
Poison, Medication, &
Food Safety
The Facts—
Are Falls Really A Problem?
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1 in 3 seniors fall each year.
Those who have fallen once have a greater
chance of falling later.
In 1999, ~21,000 seniors in Florida were
hospitalized due to hip fractures from falls.
Indirect costs: loss of independence and
decreased quality of life.
Lifestyle Behaviors—Balance
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You need good vision to help stabilize you.
Your feet must be able to feel the ground.
Exercise and strength training
Appropriate footwear
Talk to your doctor about medications that
make you dizzy.
Lifestyle Behaviors—Exercise &
Nutrition
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30 minutes of exercise most days of the
week (2 miles of brisk walking or dancing)
Eat the right foods and get plenty of calcium
and vitamin D
Drink plenty of water
Avoid alcoholic beverages
Lifestyle Behaviors—Confident
Attitude
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Downward Cycle of
Fear
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move slower/ avoid
movements
decreased strength
and endurance
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What YOU CAN do…
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improve balance
ask for help or use
helpful devices when
necessary
stay active
Home Fall Hazards
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Clear walkways of:
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cords and hoses
throw rugs
pets
clutter
Increase lighting
Add rails to stairways
Need porch railings
Clean wet floors
Taking Charge!
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Talk to your doctor about:
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See a Physical Therapist about:
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improving you balance and strength.
walking with assistive devices like canes.
See an Occupational Therapist about:
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dizziness, especially with regards to medications.
chronic diseases such as Arthritis, Diabetes, & Osteoporosis.
starting an exercising program etc.
home safety.
for special needs or assistive device use like reachers.
See an eye doctor for a yearly eye exam.
Empower Yourself!
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Exercise
Stay physically and mentally active
Eat well
Drink lots of water
Do not let fear stop you!
Basic Fire Dynamics
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It takes three components to make a fire:
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heat
fuel
oxygen
Fire Hazards That Affect YOU
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Cooking accidents
Unsafe smoking
Heating equipment
Faulty wiring
Home Fire Hazards—Eliminate Them!
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Conduct a home safety survey
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Exterior hazards
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lighting, shrubbery, visible house numbers, etc.
Interior hazards
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survey each room of the house
Home Fire Hazards—The Kitchen
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The most dangerous room
Check cords on electrical appliances
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Use safe cooking practices
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replace frayed or worn cords
unplug appliances when not in use
never leave cooking unattended
pot handles/covers/microwaves
no storage in ovens
Fire Extinguisher
Home Fire Hazards—Safety Devices
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Early warning devices
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smoke alarms/heat detectors: Check monthly and
change the batteries 2 times a year.
carbon monoxide (CO) detectors: In a fire, most
people die from CO poisoning.
Safety Measures
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residential sprinklers
fire resistive clothing/upholstery
lifeline alerts
Home Fire Hazards—Escape Plan:
Exit Drills In The Home (E.D.I.T.H.)
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Know two ways out of each room.
Designate a meeting place outside.
Discuss what to do about pets.
Have a chain ladder for 2 story homes.
Practice it!
The Fire Plan—What To Do In The
Event of a Fire
Get low and go
 Get out fast
 Once out, stay out
 Call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s house
 If burned, run cold water over the burn.
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Don’t use home remedies like butter.
Prevention & Education
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Why do seniors need to know about poison
safety?
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To protect themselves.
 Most common poisons for Florida Seniors are
medications, household poisons, food poisoning.
To protect their loved ones.
Causes of Medication Poisoning
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Interactions from multiple prescription drugs
Over-the-counter or herbal drug interactions
Taking another persons’ drugs
Vision or reading difficulties
Sensitivity to drugs due to allergies, poor
kidney or liver function, concurrent illnesses
No system to remember medication doses like
a pill box
Self-adjusting drug dosages
Safe Medication Principles
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Keep a list of all current drugs in your wallet.
Keep your drugs in a separate place from drugs
belonging to other family members.
Take medicine in a well-lighted area.
Ask for clear instructions on all new drugs.
Record possible problems with your drugs and tell your
physician.
Children may be at greater risk of
medication poisoning, when they are with
their grandparents. So keep medications
out of reach.
Causes of Household Poisonings
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Look-alikes
Storing non-food items next to food
Storing chemicals in drink bottles
Mixing cleaners
Using cleaners without gloves or ventilation
Leaving poisons in easy reach
Child-resistant containers or latches not in use
Storing water in any other containers other than water
containers
Safe Product Usage
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Store in original container
Store in a secured location
Store poisons away from food
Child resistant containers or cabinet latches
Follow directions when using products
Rinse & dry when adding a second cleaner
Food Safety
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Wash hands using lots of friction
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W—warm
A—and
S—soapy
H—happy birthday
Wash dishes and utensils after contact
with raw meat or eggs.
Sanitize food preparation surfaces monthly with bleach
water & let air-dry.
Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
The Poison Center Hotline—
1-800-222-1222
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Provides advice after poisoning .
Provides advice after poisoning.
Answers question to help prevent poisonings.
Most poisonings can be managed at home
with the help of the Poison Control Center.
Free, confidential service
24 hours a day, 7 days a week