Sumter, SC Fall Prevention & Recovery Support

1 in 4 older adults have a fall every year.

Falls are a major cause of injury in adults over the age of 65. The good news is that falls can be prevented! In this blog post, we’re exploring tips to prevent falls. You’ll also meet our new partner Able Care, whose GribAble sensor is helping us measure the risk of falls for individuals across our community.

How Can I Reduce Fall Risk in My Home?

Age-related changes in the body can increase the risk of falls. Worsening eyesight, certain medical conditions, and loss of muscle mass all contribute to this. Medications that cause dizziness can increase the risk of falls, too. Luckily, you can easily improve the safety of your home environment. Here are some ideas from Mayo Clinic:

• Remove obstacles from all walkways. You might also want to move tables, stands, and anything else that can be run into or knocked over.
• Upgrade your lighting by adding nightlights around your bedroom, walkways, and bathroom.
• Use nonslip mats on areas of the floor that might get wet from sinks or showers.

What Exercises Help Prevent Falls?

Strengthening muscles and building balance can help prevent falls, too. Here are some tips to consider for getting active:

• Stay as active as possible. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise every week.
• Walking, climbing stairs, and other weight-bearing activities can reduce the rate of bone loss.
• Explore balance and strength training exercises like yoga and weight-lifting.
• Wear supportive, non-slip footwear.

Here in Sumter County, the YMCA of Sumter Senior Center is now open! There are a variety of healthy living programs you and your loved ones can participate in at the Y. They have group classes and 1-on-1 options, too. The senior center has a monthly calendar of activities designed to benefit the brain and body. They also bring in speakers to discuss physical health topics like physical therapy and nutrition. Our Director, Jason DuBose, recently joined for a Wellness & Wisdom Wednesday!

What is the Falls Prevention Platform?

While visiting the new senior center at the YMCA in Sumter, Jason conducted fall risk assessment screenings using Able Care’s GribAble Sensor. Able Care is a falls prevention platform launched by Dr. Paul Rinne and Dr. Mike Mace in 2017. Their sensor allows us to measure these four areas:

• Single Maximum Grip Strength: Used to indicate an individual’s strength and resilience.
• Timed Up & Go (TUG): Measures balance and mobility.
• Four-Meter Gait Speed: One’s walking pace is an important measure of independence.
• 30-Second Chair Stand: This provides insight into lower-body strength.

It only takes about five minutes to complete these tests and assess someone’s risk of falling. This can give us so much useful insight into each Client’s wellbeing. We can also use this data to track trends over time, helping us to be even more proactive in identifying risks. We’d love to bring the GripAble Sensor to your facility for screenings!

Where Can I Find In-Home Support?

Griswold Home Care for Sumter & Kershaw is a provider of non-medical in-home care services. Our Caregivers can support you and your loved ones through 24-hour home care, dementia care support, personal care, respite care, and more. Located in Sumter, SC, we serve Sumter County, Kershaw County, and the surrounding area.