How the elderly can avoid falls
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
A series of seminars to inform the elderly and their relatives what they could do to avoid falls were launched today, with the first such seminar at the Zejtun Home for the Elderly.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Mario Galea said that it was very easy to fall and when an elderly fell, the complications could be various, especially if they were over 65. Some even died.
He said he personally fell on Maundy Thursday last year while fiddling with his mobile telephone and walking to the Capuchin’s church in Floriana.
Mr Galea said he slipped, the phone went flying and he skidded a few metres into the church.
He got up and realised the implications only afterwards because he was very badly bruised. Had he been an elderly person, the fall could have had serious repercussions.
Mr Galea said that complications emanating from falls include that the elderly become bedridden with the possibility of getting thrombosis or pneumonia.
A booklet compiled by the multi disciplinary team Falls Prevention Task Force, outlining ways to reduce falls, such as removing wires crossing rooms and using liquid instead of hard soap, is being distributed in health centres, hospitals and homes for the elderly.
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12 Comments
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Anthony Mizzi
May 15th 2010, 07:51
And who has been responsabile for the country's infrastructure for the past 20 years?
Now that pavement where the MP fell will be leevlled, that's how it works locally.
Another way could be be to have residences well lighted, but than again there is te matter of the inflated surcharges on W & Electircity BIlls....
Jennifer Oakley
May 14th 2010, 15:50
granted the state of the roads and pavements is dire, but let it be known that most falls of the elderly and otherwise are in their own homes. Falls prevention and falls clinics are common in developed countries and studies show that simple measures could prevent falls in the elderly by 45 to 60 % wish in turn significantly brings down the number of patients that require orthopaedic operations, and patients in orthapaedic beds in hospital. this is just moving in the right direction. i say well done for all involved.
edward bartolo
May 14th 2010, 15:46
As if people don't have a mind of their own! This mania with courses about everything imaginable is ridiculous to say the least!
When shall we have a course about proper toileting, because you know, it is important to know which microbes thrive in toilets and it is important to know about ventilation and it is important to know about the proper posture and how bowels work not to overdo it...
One can invent as many useless courses as one may wish.
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 14th 2010, 15:42
You're joking! It's very easy to fall, myself being a Kartanzjan. All one has to do is avoid the dislodged pavements, the broken paving, the gaping holes, the holes in the roads while crossing, etc. Better still, keep to the specific main roads, namely, the papal roads!
Manuel Micallef
May 14th 2010, 15:30
John Ebejer - I was joking!!!
of course it reamins a government ... not a very proud one, but still a government, almost...
A.Attard
May 14th 2010, 15:07
Very good initiative for the elderly people. However it would be very useful for the parliamentary secretary to be more careful on how to avoid mistakes!!!!!!!
I know Mario is humble enough to get a joke!!
cassar cettina
May 14th 2010, 15:03
Good shoes are of the utmost importance. no flip flops and no backless sandles as the feet have to be well supported. High heels should be avoided too. Comfortable shoes help avoid falls.
ASpiteri
May 14th 2010, 14:37
Unbelievable!
So now the government is responsible for the elderly falls?!?!
This is not a nanny state...this is something far beyond!
Manuel Micallef
May 14th 2010, 14:16
Another way, which I thought of to avoid elederly from falling is for MPs to be careful how to vote in parliament. ... Elderly, especially if they are PN leaning, can get easily distructed if they are under the impression that their government is short lived!!
I am joking of course!
John Ebejer
May 14th 2010, 14:37
But it remains a government!
Albert Ecceles(In Gozo Again)
May 14th 2010, 13:41
I should have thought its rather obvious the safest way for an elderly person avoiding falls is for the local councils in Malta and mostly in Gozo renew the outdated pavements and pot holes and install clear signs where it is dangerous to walk.We came over for the third time visitng the islands and on two occasions my wife fell and twisted her ancles, ofcourse many locals were good enough to assist, but one only has to go to Luqa airport and see the many toursts or rather quite a few walking with crutches or limbs in plaster. Modernising the roads and pavements is definitly an asset for the tourists in your country, agree? Yes ? Good!
Lawrence Mifsud
May 14th 2010, 13:27
May I make a few other suggestions that may help the elderly, and anyone else for that matter, to avoid falls.?
I am sure that they will not be mentioned in any such seminar.
Have pavements leveled off in a safe manner, and remove slippery areas.
Remove service poles, and other temporary obstructions, from walkways.
Fill up the potholes that plague our pedestrianized areas, and side roads.
Can the Authorities provide figures as to how many people must get medical care, or hospitalized, because of accidents caused by the bad state of footpaths?