OTTAWA, ON, June 28, 2022 / CNW / – Injury can occur anywhere, at home, at work or while practicing your favorite sport. On National Injury Prevention Day, held on July 5, the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance wants to help raise awareness of the devastating consequences of predictable and preventable injuries, especially among the elderly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a worrying situation as the number of adult-related hospitalizations associated with falls has increased by 47% and the mortality rate due to falls has also increased over the last ten years1. Although rarely making headlines, falls in the elderly have caused twice as many deaths from road accidents (4,849 vs. 1,939) 2. INJURIES RELATING TO FALL IN THE ELDERLY According to the World Health Organization, about one third of older people fall each year1. This results in 85% of injury-related hospitalizations, 95% of all hip fractures and 61% of injury-related deaths for older Canadians3. Among this group, women, those in their 80s and older, and the elderly who live alone or have a low income are most at risk when they are about to fall. Falls on the same level (slipping, tripping or tripping), furniture falls and ladder falls are the top three types of falls that lead to serious injury and death in the elderly. PREVENTION IS KEY Falls among the elderly can be prevented. However, their multifactorial nature means that tackling this growing public health problem is a shared responsibility. Progress in preventing falls and their injuries requires continued multidisciplinary cooperation, including with governments, health care providers, NGOs, care associations and services, and Canadians themselves. “For the past two years, many seniors have been confined to their homes and have had limited opportunities to be physically active.explains Angelie Carter, president of the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. We must now ensure that they can return to a more active lifestyle as soon as possible if we are to prevent an increase in falls in the coming years, a number which is already very high. Through personalized safe physical activities that cause balance, kinesiologists, as experts in human movement, can help seniors strengthen their hips and legs to prevent falls. In addition, a kinesiologist can also provide information on the impact of dehydration, low blood sugar and medical conditions that can cause a fall.. “ “In addition to regular exercise, the environment in which people live is also the key to preventing falls, as half of all falls leading to hospitalization occur in a home1, Mrs. Carter continues. This is why it is important to evaluate someone’s home for fall risk and help make it safer. Health professionals, such as a kinesiologist, can assess the risk of falling into someone’s home and help make changes to ensure safety.. “ QUICK DATA 3
Every day, 48 Canadians die and 634 are hospitalized due to falls, making him the leading cause of death from injury, hospitalization, emergency visits and disability in Canada. Every day in Canada on average, 13 seniors die and 259 are hospitalized after a fall. In 2018, this resulted in 4,849 deaths, 94,529 hospitalizations, 424,609 emergency visits and 28,310 disabilities. Seventy-five percent of injury-related deaths are due to unintentional causes, such as falls, car accidents, and poisonings. Injury-related injuries to the elderly cost the health care system $ 5.6 billion a year, or $ 15.3 million a day. The total cost of injuries to the Canadian economy equals $ 80 million each day ($ 29.4 billion each year).
TIPS FOR FALL PREVENTION
Do balance and resistance exercises that focus on the upper legs, hips and core strength (such as OTAGO or SAIL exercises, tai chi, water aerobics, chair yoga and weight training). Securely protect your home to minimize the risks (removing carpets, adding lighting to stairs, installing a sturdy handrail, etc.). Stay hydrated. Maintain a balanced diet. Watch for medication as some may contribute to dizziness or falling
ABOUT THE CANADIAN KINESIOLOGY ALLIANCE Kinesiologists specialize in human movement by providing scientific advice and physical activity therapies that improve recovery, health and well-being at all stages of life. They can also help manage and prevent 25 of the most common chronic conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, heart failure or stroke, coronary heart disease, hypertension, lung problems, anxiety, depression, diabetes and obesity. The Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA) is a non-profit company that supports and promotes the kinesiology profession in Canada. The CKA seeks to be recognized as the unifying voice for the kinesiology profession in Canada and to have a positive impact on Canadians. Nationwide, the CKA represents ten provincial kinesiology associations (PKAs) that are member associations and more than 4,400 affiliated kinesiologists. The CKA establishes and promotes professional standards across Canada. Find a kinesiologist: www.cka.ca. Consult Moving Forward with COVID-19 – Kinesiology Instructions. Watch videos to better understand how Kinesiologists can help. Facebook and Twitter: @CdnKinesiology SOURCE Canadian Kinesiology Alliance For more information: To schedule an interview or for more information, contact: Sophie Allard, APR, (888) 523-2783, ext. 771 or [email protected]
