Did you know that 20 to 30 per cent of seniors experience one or more falls each year, and that the direct healthcare cost to treat injuries from falls is over $2 billion annually (Canadian Patient Safety Institute, 2015)? Since people with Parkinson's may experience stiff muscles, freezing and impaired balance, they are more likely to fall than people without the disease. 

November is Fall Prevention Month. Organizations across Canada are working together to help raise awareness about falls and fall prevention with the general public as well as among healthcare professionals. 

What can individuals do to prevent falls?

• Keep your body active: You are less likely to fall if you have strong muscles and good balance. 
• Have your eyes checked by an optomoterist once a year: Good vision can reduce your risk of falling. 
• Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medications: Some medications can make you feel drowsy, dizzy or unsteady on your feet. 
• Make your home safer: Falls are often due to home hazards that are easy to overlook, but simple to fix.
  (Finding Balance BC, 2017) 

The following Parkinson Society British Columbia resources can help you understand balance difficulties and conduct an in-home safety check:

• Managing Balance Difficulties Associated with Parkinson's [help sheet]
• In-home Safety Checklist [help sheet]

Finding Balance BC also offers an awareness toolkit for organizations. 

Sources:

Canadian Patient Safety Institute. (2015, September 25). November is Fall Prevention Month. Retrieved from http://www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca/en/NewsAlerts/News/pages/november-is-fall-prevention-month.aspx

Finding Balance BC. (2017). Are you at risk for Falls? Retrieved from http://findingbalancebc.ca/campaign-toolkit/