Back to SearchNORTH BAY, ON - November is here, meaning it is time to talk about fall prevention. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) in collaboration with the local Stay On Your Feet (SOYF) coalition is bringing fall prevention conversations online. However, this doesn’t mean you need to keep the conversations online.
Information and weekly contests will be shared throughout the month of November on the Health Unit’s Facebook page and website. Each week will focus on one of the following themes:
- Medication Management
- Drug interactions with prescription medications and over the counter drugs can cause drowsiness and dizziness, which can lead to a fall. It is important to keep an updated list of prescription and over-the-counter medications with you at all times.
- Nutrition
- As we age, our sense of thirst declines and therefore need to drink regularly whether we feel thirsty or not. To prevent dehydration, women need nine cups of fluid each day and men need 12 cups of fluid each day.
- Physical Activity
- Older adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more to achieve health benefits. Some health benefits may include improving balance, reducing falls and injuries, staying independent longer and preventing chronic diseases.
- Home Hazards
- It is important that we identify, remove and report hazards in and around homes in order to prevent a fall. Keeping all walkways, ramps and stairs clear, ensuring adequate lighting, and removing unnecessary carpets are some ways to remove hazards in the home.
“We are encouraging people to follow along and learn about tips and tricks that promote healthy aging and fall prevention,” explains Taylor Matson, Community Health Promoter at the Health Unit. “As we know, not everyone is online. We are encouraging individuals to use the weekly themes as a conversation starter with family, friends and coworkers.”
Each theme will allow participants an opportunity to be entered to win an exciting prize pack. Individuals who prefer to talk to someone about each theme can call 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5215 and be entered into the contest.
SOYF is a regional initiative supported by the five Northeastern health units and is implemented locally by a coalition of partners. The partners work to improve the quality of life of older adults living in Nipissing and Parry Sound districts by reducing their risk, rate and severity of falls. It is estimated that one in three adults, 65 years and older, and one in two adults, 80 years and older experience a fall each year.
For more information on fall prevention visit www.myhealthunit.ca/soyf.
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Media Inquiries
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca
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