Safety First

We talk a lot about safety on this blog. We do this for two reasons. Safety is the most important consideration for the mobility-challenged. Here at Pacific Mobility Center, its importance to you, our clients, also means it’s our rasion d’etre. This time we are going to revisit an issue that, while we have covered before, bears repeating: falls.

According to the CDC, falls are the number one cause of injuries to seniors. In fact, one out of three seniors falls every year. In 2010, this resulted in over 2.3 million injuries that were treated in the emergency room, resulting in over 662,000 admissions. Some more sobering facts from the CDC:

(1)Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.

(2)Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults.

(3)Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls.The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.

(4)Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

(5)The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade.

(6)In 2009, about 20,400 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries.

Clearly, avoiding falls is a very important thing for anyone with mobility issues. One way to help with this is to be aware of problem areas of the home. Two of the most common problem areas are the bathroom and stairways. Luckily, at Pacific Mobility Solutions we offer great products to improve safety in both of these areas.

The Shower Buddy is a great and economical way to improve safety and help prevent falls while in the shower. Because it fits into most existing tubs and shower, it allows the user to avoid a lengthy and costly bathroom remodel. Designed in New Zealand, the Shower Buddy reduces the number of transfers a user must endure, allowing the user to toilet and shower at the same time. It also allows a patient to preserve their privacy and dignity while helping to reduce or eliminate the danger of slips and falls.

Stairlifts are a great way to reclaim those areas of your house that have been difficult, dangerous, or even impossible for you to access. Stairlifts consist of a folding chair that travels on a track that runs along the edge of your stairs, safely transporting you up and down the stairs while not blocking the use of the stairs for those not needing assistance. Pacific Mobility Center is a licensed installer of custom Bruno stairlifts. Our models can even go around corners and curves!

But what if you do fall? While the hazards of falling can be attenuated, they can never be eliminated. Ask yourself this question: if you were to fall and were injured and unable to get up, how would you summon help? That’s where a Guardian Alert 911 device comes in. The device can be worn on your person, allowing you to quickly and easily summon help with the push of a button in the case of a slip or fall. With a Guardian Alert device, help is never far away, allowing for greater self-reliance and greater peace of mind for your loved ones.

This month, we are offering a special deal. Purchase any Shower Buddy or Bruno stairlift and receive a free Guardian Alert 911 device! Now you can protect yourself, enhance your independence, and insure the peace of mind of your loved ones all at the same time. Pacific Mobility Center is San Diego’s family-owned and -operated choice for all your mobility and accessibility needs. Contact us today or come on in and see what we can do for you!