Let’s talk about safety at home… 

What does SAFETY mean to you? Perhaps it means being able to get up & down the stairs to do your laundry or to make a meal, do a shoulder check while driving your car, walk your dog, shop for groceries, or get to the toilet in the middle of the night without incident. Ultimately, we all want to feel safe doing the things we need to do & want to do, both at home & within our community.

Your environment can play a big role in your safety. Do any of the following impact your safety at home:   

• Clutter? 

• Slippery floors or bunched up carpet/rugs? 

• Footwear? 

• Lighting? 

• Sturdy railings or grab bars? 

• Easily accessible bathroom? 

• Pets? 

If you’ve had a previous fall, have difficulty getting around, or just want to be proactive in preventing a future fall, be sure to have an objective look around your home. Get help to reduce the hazards around your home that are waiting to trip you up.   

BUT remember, falls are not just about a safe environment. Your strength & balance play a huge role in your safety too!  And so does your urinary continence. Commit to getting stronger, improving your balance, and addressing any urinary issues as well.   

Your functional strength can be demonstrated by your ability to: 

• Easily rise from a chair without using your arms

• Safely get on and off the floor without assistance 

Your balance & stability can be demonstrated by your ability to: 

• Stand on your toes and hold the position for 6 seconds 

• Stand on 1 leg for 30 seconds 

• Walk in a straight line while looking from right to left 

• Quickly change directions while maintaining your stability 

Your pelvic floor strength (which impacts urinary continence) may be demonstrated by your ability to: 

• Laugh, cough, or change positions without soiling your underwear

• Fully empty your bladder & sleep most of the night without frequent waking due to urination

• Engage (& relax) your core & pelvic floor muscles by pretending to ‘zip up a tight pair of pants’ without holding your breath 

Your safety at home ‘TO DO’ list:

1. Assess your environment for hazards that may cause a fall & make any necessary changes 

2. Get stronger through resistance training to improve your functional strength

3. Learn how to engage your pelvic floor & core muscles & address any urinary issues you may have

4. Get an individualized Assessment & Treatment Plan with one of our amazing Therapists TODAY, so you can feel safe in your space!

    

Our PhysioCare at Home team can help! 

Call us today! 

Find out more about engaging your core in the following video & always remember, Consistency is Key!

To Your Health,               

Jillian 

Physiotherapist & Clinical Director 

Foundational Principle Highlight

Nutrition Tip

It’s important for seniors to eat regular, healthy meals with a variety of nutrient dense food (as opposed to snacking or only unhealthy options) for a number of reasons:

1. Eating regular, healthy meals helps maintain energy levels and prevents fatigue.

2. Getting proper nutrition helps support the immune system to fight infections and recover from illness.

3. Regular meals, with high protein, help maintain muscle mass. This is important to preserve strength, mobility, independence, and to help prevent falls and injuries.

4. Eating regularly helps maintain appropriate blood sugar levels. Skipping meals or eating poorly can cause blood sugar spikes or drops, which can be harmful, especially for those with diabetes or other metabolic disorders.