The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently published a study on the correlation of injuries related to walking aids and its proper usage. The study was conducted using ER records from 2001 until 2006. It was found out that that a total of more than 47,000 American senior citizens are sent to emergency rooms each year, with a third of this number requiring hospitalization.
Some findings of the study include:
- 6 out of 10 accidents associated with walkers and canes occur at home.
- People 85 years and older are more susceptible to fall-related injuries; the study shows that the chances of accidents involving walkers and canes increase with age.
- 33% of accidents involving walkers and 28% of accident involving canes required hospitalization.
This is rather alarming. Walking aids and other mobility equipment are created to assist the elderly and the disabled to keep them safe.
“Walking aids are very important in helping many older adults maintain their mobility. However, it′s important to make sure people use these devices safely,”" said Judy Stevens, Ph.D., the study’s lead author. “Walkers are often used by frail and vulnerable older adults; people for whom falls, if they occur, can have very serious health consequences.”
Now that even the walking aids that we rely upon to assist our elderly is questionable, what can we do about it? Are there other underlying issues we need to address to keep our elderly safe? Note that the study involved American senior citizens. From whom do we have to expect action on this matter? Social welfare? The health ministry? Or the manufacturers of mobility equipment?
What can we learn from the study?
From this study we can learn that having walking aids is not enough to assist the elderly. It is also important that they are provided with quality walking aids and are knowledgeable in how to use such aids correctly and safely. It is highly recommended that physical therapists provide counseling to teach the elderly, as well as their caregivers, how to properly use walkers, canes, scooters and other mobility equipment. Doctors and other health care professionals must also take time in ensuring that a walking aid or any other mobility equipment fits properly with the user’s stature.
A concern is raised.
The study was conducted with American seniors as subjects and findings show that the problem stems from incorrect usage of walkers and canes. However, one cannot help but surmise if the problem is also aggravated by the quality of mobility equipment. How can the quality of one brand compare with another? It cannot be denied that equipment with inferior quality contribute to accidents. However, we cannot prove anything without numbers or statistics. The study did not mention anything about the quality of walkers and canes and how it relates to the number of accidents relating to fall, but it remains to be something worth looking into, for the welfare of our elderly.
For a full copy of the study, visit the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Thanks for posting about this, I would like to read more about this topic.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:34 PM
Thumper’s Blog…
Very nice post. I’d like to link back to it from my new blog. Thanks….
January 16th, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Let me start by saying excellent post. Im not sure if it has been talked about, but when using Firefox I can never get the whole site to load without refreshing alot of times. Could just be my laptop. Enjoy!
January 17th, 2010 at 3:51 AM
Usually I do not post on blogs, nevertheless I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really pleasant post.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:29 AM
Very good post. Thanks for sharing.
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 AM
Did you know if there are any natural remedies for this?
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:15 AM
Hi, Priscilla.
Thanks for letting us know.
I’ve been using Firefox myself, but I haven’t had any problems with the site so far.
I’ll still have it checked though.
Hope you get to see the site better next time.
Best Regards,
Clive
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:17 AM
Thank you for all your feedback.
I really appreciate it.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Which parts do you disagree with?
Kind regards,
Clive
January 30th, 2010 at 11:47 PM
This blog helped me explain this subject to my son. Thanks
January 31st, 2010 at 10:55 PM
I really think that this blog can help people. Well done
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I just wanted to thank you for writing this. It really made my day
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I am glad it made your day.
Kind regards,
Clive
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:14 AM
I am glad the blog post was of use.
Kind regards,
Clive
February 6th, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Yes we can give this some thought and see what we can do.
Thank you very much for your comment.
With many thanks,
Clive
February 14th, 2010 at 1:21 AM
I have been a reader for a long time, but am a first time commenter. I just wanted to say that this has been / is my favorite post of yours! Keep up the great work and I’ll keep on checking back. If you’d be interested in swapping blogroll links with me, my website is MonaVie Scam.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:22 PM
I’ve been searching all over for this! Thank God I found your posting on Bing.
Thx
me
Hydrolyze
February 21st, 2010 at 8:48 PM
Thank you for the wonderful article. I will follow you via RSS.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Great! I am glad you enjoyed it.
Kind regards,
Clive
February 26th, 2010 at 11:02 PM
I am glad you enjoyed it.
Are you interested in disability equipment?
Kind regards,
Clive
clive@doability.co.uk
February 26th, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Thank you very much for your comment!
I am really glad you enjoy the posts.
Which topics to you enjoy the most.
Kind regards,
Clive
May 17th, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Hello… I can not access your rss feed… Something trouble? Can you fix it? Thanks
May 18th, 2010 at 6:06 AM
Have found your web page. My pal mentioned it to me before, yet never got around to checking it out until now. I must express, I’m floored. I really enjoyed reading through your posts and will absolutely be back to get more.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:42 PM
@ maserati gransport:
Thanks for letting us know.
We’ll look into it.
Thank you for your interest on our RSS feed.
Kind Regards,
Clive
May 23rd, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Recently, I did not give whole lot thought to commenting on weblog articles and have left feedback even less. Viewing your useful piece of writing, might inspire me to do this again.
May 23rd, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Thank you very much for your comment!
May 28th, 2010 at 8:02 PM
The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
May 29th, 2010 at 7:57 AM
Congratulations for the brilliant blog posting! I found your post very interesting, I think you are a brilliant writer. I added your blog to my bookmarks and will return in the future. I want to encourage you to continue that marvelous work, have a great daytime!