Greetings!,
 Do you worry about your patients or loved ones falling? As people get older, they are increasingly at risk of falling and getting injured. In fact, the CDC estimates that one out of every three older adults (65+) fall each year, making falls the leading cause of injuries among older adults in the U.S. today.
We all want to protect our older family members and patients and help them stay safe, secure and independent. Knowing how to reduce fall risks is an important step toward this goal.
So, why do people fall? According to the experts, one of the leading causes is frailty.
 According to John Brusch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Geriatrician at Cambridge Health Alliance, frailty is a state in which an individual does not have the physical reserve to meet a challenge. Dr. Brusch regards a history of falling as a significant marker that the person is at high-risk for frailty. He states: "Falling is not an inevitable part of aging. Falls are a significant event not only because they produce serious injury such as hip fracture but because they are a warning light that one or more organ systems are malfunctioning which can mean that person is most likely to become frail."
Over the last three decades, various frailty screening tools have been developed to identify individuals at higher risk. These tools may determine the risk of mortality and also the influence that the frail state may have on specific diseases or therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Brusch is currently working with Community Resources for Elder Wellness (CREW), a group of local agencies that promotes healthy lifestyles for older adults. One CREW initiative is an anonymous frailty survey of Cambridge and Somerville residents, 60 years and older, to assess their general health. The survey includes questions about daily activities and diet and uses a dynamometer to measure grip strength. It is sponsored by the Department of Public Health of both cities and the information obtained will help local agencies plan programs that will benefit and promote healthy lifestyles.
What can you do today to help older adults reduce their frailty and risk of falls? Dr. Brusch recommends three things: a good diet, moderate exercise and medical treatment. For example, a simple activity such as walking is a positive step toward becoming a healthier person, no matter what your age or disability. When it comes to exercise, the old adage, "use it or lose it" says it all.
To find resources in your area, start with your local senior center and Aging Service Access Point (ASAP). These groups often have a variety of physical and stimulating activities like weekly fitness classes. For example, the Aging Wisely Everett Program, operated by CHA's Department of Community Health Improvement, has a range of health and wellness programs for older adults who need a fun way to stay healthy. For more information, call the program coordinator at 617-591-6741 - or click here to view the current schedule.
Lastly, if you work with older adults in Cambridge or Somerville, and want to get involved in the CREW frailty survey, send me an email. I'm happy to get you connected to the right person who can help. Until then, thank you for helping our local older adults stay upright this year!
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- Stretch before going outside. Stretching improves circulation.
- Wear sensible footwear. Shoes should have low heels and good support.
- Stick to cleared sidewalks and roads.
- Use assistive devices when necessary. Hold handrails on stairs. Use a cane or walker if necessary to help maintain balance.
- Avoid going outside when conditions are poor.
If an unfortunate fall does occur, CHA is here for you! Our three Emergency Departments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with very short wait times. Be safe!
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CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE is a vital and innovative community health system that provides essential services to Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston's metro-north communities. It includes three hospital campuses, a network of primary care and specialty practices, and the Cambridge Public Health Dept. CHA is a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate and is also affiliated with Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Tufts University School of Medicine. For more information, visit www.challiance.org. |
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This newsletter provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this newsletter, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.
Thank you.
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CHA in the News
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Consumer medical website Health.com highlighted several tips from Melisa Lai Becker, MD, site chief of emergency medicine at CHA Whidden Hospital, in a feature on health items to have on hand in the event of an emergency.
CHA Rheumatologist, Suzanne Chapnick, MD, shared advice on Osteoarthritis medications in the Boston Globe.
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Health is Wealth
TV Show
Everett, ECTV: Ch. 3 & 22 Tuesdays at 9:00 am and Thursdays at 7:00 pm.
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Upcoming Event Wednesday, December 10 and Thursday, December 11, 2014
Health Fair on Building Resilience/Grief/Holiday Anxiety
Cambridge YMCA
820 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Presenters:
Roberta Robinson, Director, Geriatric Outreach
Kathy Hoey, LICSW, Manager, Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Program
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Click here to learn more.
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Feedback
I am thrilled to have heard from many of you about this newsletter, and I want to make this a useful (and quick!) read each month. If you have any feedback, or have a topic you would like to hear about, please send me an email.
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Are you ready for the winter weather? As the temperature drops, and the days grow shorter, we need to prepare for what may be a rough season ahead. The adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" may be true when it comes to this. 