The Ocean Shores Fire Department will hold a fall prevention information session on Friday, to better illuminate some of the risk factors for debilitating falls in the home.
Falls can be the first downward movement in a spiral of declining quality of health, said OSFD firefighter and public information officer Kara McDermott, who has worked to bring the information to residents.
“Falls are something we take very seriously,” McDermott said. “We see a range from ‘no injury, they just need help up’ to devastating injuries that can lead to health decline to even death.”
Ocean Shores’ graying population makes the information relevant to a huge swathe of residents.
“A huge focus is on folks that are 65 and older. We know, according to the CDC, that falls are the leading cause of injuries fatal and nonfatal on people over the age of 65. In our town, that’s about 41% of the population,” McDermott said. “Washington as a whole is 15%. We’re about three times the state rate.”
The session, which the Lions Club has donated the space for, will start at 3 p.m. on Friday, McDermott said. It’s for all ages, with no registration or fees. Smaller sessions over the past have been a good experience, McDermott said.
“Anecdotally we know it’s an issue. The numbers also support that,” McDermott said. “They’ve turned into these really rich discussions. I feel like some of the best information and best advice comes laterally.”
About 25% of medical calls from last year were falls, McDermott said, amounting to more than 500 calls, which may still be under reported.
“We know that we have an aging population. We also know that the people who need 911 the most are older folks,” McDermott said. “If we can step in before they need 911 then it has a huge positive impact on them leading safe, healthy and independent lives.”
There are many factors that can lead to a fall, McDermott said, from something as simple as wearing footwear at home to the layout and furniture of a residence.
“People carry their own risk factors in themselves. Their homes can also have risk factors. Things on the floor, rugs, lighting issues. When these things combine, it can result in a fall,” McDermott said. “The hope of this training is understanding what risk factors you’re living with now.”
Even if one is not currently at a huge risk for falls, learning about the risk factors can help one continue to prevent them as one ages, McDermott said — no one is growing younger.
“We try to build the training in such a way that there’s some low hanging fruit that you can do this today,” McDermott said. “Ultimately we want people to be safe, healthy and independent in their lives.”
Preventing falls can be an easy way to extend one’s quality of life, McDermott said.
“One of the things I want to emphasize is how common falls are, Not only in our city but also nationwide,” McDermott said. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
