Collins Care - Mobility Products
Fall prevention is a big issue in all senses: between a third and a half of people over the age of 65 suffer a fall in any given year, and although many are minor, about a quarter result in physical injury that requires medical attention, including broken bones – most commonly hip fractures. The NHS spends some £1.7 billion on treating hip fractures alone. Slips and trips are the most common sort of accident in the home; and the risk of falling is one of the major factors in assessing a person’s ability to continue living independently in their own home.
There are some very simple precautions you can take to help prevent a fall. Various studies have shown that exercise can improve strength and balance, having a significant effect in reducing the likelihood of falling. However it is not always easy to get out for long walks especially in winter time. Fortunately there is a device called a pedal exercise that allows you to sit at home in your usual chair and slip your feet into two pedals and pedal away, keeping you fit. This pedal exerciser can also be placed on a table and used with your hands to increase upper body strength.
Correctly fitting footwear is essential to avoid any trips and slips, so please do not get to attached to the old tatty slippers that are really comfy but also a common cause of falls. The cosyfeet range of footwear are now very popular especially as they fit extra wide feet and come in stretchable fabric making them easy to put on and comfortable. It is also advisable to look around your house with a fresh set of eyes looking for potential trip hazards such as loose rugs, raised carpet edges, wires and leads and try, where possible, to remove them.
There have been huge improvements in the mobility industry over the last three years. Not only has the price been reduced in many items such as scooter http://tiny.cc/
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