Avoiding Injuries From Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one third of adults 65 and older fall each year, resulting in injuries or even death. To help prevent these occurrences at home, the CDC provides the following tips:

• Ask someone to arrange your furniture to allow a clear path through each room.
• Always keep objects off the floor.
• Remove or secure throw rugs (with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing).
• Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can’t trip over them.
• If lighting is insufficient, have an electrician install an overhead light and wall switch at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
• Use nightlights in hallways and other rooms.
• Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications to identify any that could make you sleepy or dizzy.
  

Building on a longstanding, county-wide collaboration focusing on preventing injuries resulting from falls, CHS has been partnering with the Suffolk County Health Department to offer a Fall Prevention Program across Long Island. Called Stepping On, the free seven-week program provides assessments and techniques to avoid falls at home or elsewhere.

“Working with the Suffolk County Department of Health, CHS has been afforded the opportunity for several of our key falls prevention staff members to become Stepping On trained leaders,” explained CHS Vice President of Care Management and Performance Improvement Anna ten Napel. “These newly trained leaders allow for an increased penetration of the Stepping On course in the community, achieving the goal of helping to better educate Long Islanders on ways to prevent falls and stay healthy at home.”

Please call 1-855-CHS-4500 for more information.

10 Tips to Stay Safe During a Hurricane

The National Hurricane Center announced the start of the East Coast hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 - November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a below normal season, with a likelihood of 6 to 11 named storms, including
0 to 2 major hurricanes.

During hurricane season, it is important to not only protect your home and family but also to protect your health. Be sure to have the following health and safety supplies prepared:

1. First aid kit
2. Medicine (seven-day supply)
3. Written list of your medications and have handy any paperwork about serious or ongoing medical conditions
4. A list of names and phone numbers of your physicians
5. The name and phone number of your pharmacy
6. Medical supplies (e.g., hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, nebulizer, syringes, or a cane)
7. The location of your medications inside your home. (If you need to evacuate your home quickly, make sure you tell someone where to locate the above items in the event they can be retrieved for you.) 
8. Baby supplies (e.g., bottles, formula, baby food and diapers)
9. Emergency blanket
10. Soap, toothbrush and other personal care items

Visit The Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for more tips you and your family can use in the event of a hurricane.

Please visit www.chsli.org or call 1-855-CHS-4500.