Don’t fall

Be careful and don’t fall! How often have we heard this advice?   

For a group of healthcare workers in our community, falls prevention and the resulting injuries, has become their purpose, and for good reason.

One of the top five key health issues in our community is the high prevalence of falls and injuries,” Karen Kuzmich a member of the Brant County Bone Health & Falls Prevention Group said recently. “This is why employees from the Brant Community Healthcare System, the Brant County Health Unit, PrimaCare Family Health Team, Park Lane Long Term Care and Osteoporosis Canada was formed two years ago.”

You only need to look at the statistics to find that the work of the committee is much needed. 20% of Brant residents 18-years and older had a fall in the past 12- months and falls are a leading cause of acute chronic morbidity and premature admission to long term care homes and other institutions. It is also the 5th leading cause of death amongst the elderly. 
 
The ‘fall- guys’ have hosted public education workshops and are very pleased that a falls prevention program is provided at the Willett site of the Brant Community Healthcare System. People who are at risk of falling and those with a history of falling down attend the 8- week program led by a physiotherapist, kinesiologist, therapy assistants and guest speakers with nutrition, pharmacy and nursing experience. Fractures or broken bones create both physical emotional problems.   

The local group feels that the importance of promoting bone health and maintaining bone strength needs to be advanced. So, much the way that mammography has stressed the importance of screening to detect breast cancer; the group is set on promoting the importance of screening for osteoporosis. As Karen puts it, “If you didn’t fall and break a bone, how would you know that you had osteoporosis or osteopenia- precursor condition to osteoporosis?”

Both men and women need to concern themselves about the health of their bones, particularly men according to Karen. “I was surprised to learn that men are a high-risk group for osteoporosis; we often think that osteoporosis is a woman’s disease. Men need to be aware of underlying medical conditions that could contribute to bone loss, falls and subsequent disabilities. An orthopaedic surgeon told me that when men fall and fracture a bone they tend to experience more disability compared to women.” Sorry guys, this is evidence that perhaps we are the weaker sex!

Dr. Christopher O’Brien, Chief of Nuclear Medicine at the Brant Community Healthcare System has always had a desire to promote public education on bone health, prevention and early detection and has agreed to be one of the panel members at a public information session coming up on Thursday February 21st at the Civic Centre. The panel will also include Dr. Stephen Richie, Dr. Wilson Leung, and dietitian Susan Bird. They will provide an overview of the various factors and facts related to the issue of bone health in men and the importance of taking a proactive approach to preventing falls, disability and even death. Some of the relevant factors include obesity, diet and the role of exercise in bone health, early detection and bone loss due to certain urinary medications.  

To register for the Men’s Bone Health Information Night, call 519- 751-5544, extension 7053. The doors open at 6:30 PM with displays followed by the panel presentation at 7 PM. Like the Ontario Osteoporosis strategy says ‘Better bones. Better Lives.’ 

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary and community outreach programs.