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Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for category: fall prevention

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 20, 2022
Category: fall prevention

Welcome Autumn! For many, autumn is the time of the year to get back into routines, set goals for the end of the year, and spend as much of the remaining beautiful days outdoors. In alignment with the first day of autumn on September 22nd, is Falls Prevention Week falling on September 18th-24th. Falls Prevention week is a nationwide campaign with efforts to raise awareness about fall prevention for the elderly. Falls present a growing risk to older adults’ health and independence. Many falls can be prevented, and professionals working in fall prevention are making headway in pinpointing and implementing measures that work. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know fall prevention begins with healthy feet, and who better to support you and your feet than a podiatrist. 

Falls among older adults are common: 

  • Millions of people aged 65 and older fall each year—1 out of 3 in this age range.
  • Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, causing severe injuries, such as hip fractures, head trauma, and death.
  • Every 13 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall. In 2013, about 25,500 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries, 2.5 million were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal falls, and more than 734,000 were hospitalized. 

Fall Prevention Begins with Healthy Feet

  • Improve your balance by wearing foot braces or custom orthotics.
  • Wear shoes that keep you safe and offer you the support you need.
  • Build and maintain strength in your feet.

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back from Living the Life You Want to Have

  • Remove hazards from your home. Like, throw rugs, boxes, or cords. Anything that may be in the way of daily walking around your home.
  • A cane or walker can help assist you with balance. Remember to use your cane on your stronger side and to bring it with you when you leave your home!
  • Have a vision and hearing check-up. Problems with vision or hearing can lead to falls. Get your eyes checked at least once a year and your ears checked every other year.
  • Have a podiatry check-up. Problems with your feet can also lead to falls. Visit your podiatrist at least once a year for a check-up and even more often if you have an underlying condition or have been experiencing discomfort in your feet and ankles. To schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas at our Cromwell, Connecticut office call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website.
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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
February 22, 2022
Category: fall prevention

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we understand aging is inevitable, and foot problems could be one of the first signs of aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls have become the leading cause of injury among Americans aged 65 and older. Addressing early warning signs can make a big difference in the overall well-being of seniors. We always want our Middlesex County patients to stay healthy and safe. Below, you will find a collection of facts about falling, commonly asked questions, and our best senior foot care tips.

 

Facts About Falling

  • One out of five falls causes a serious injury (such as broken bones or a head injury).
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
  • In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion. Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.
  • Feet kept clean and healthy helps keep your balance, so falls are less likely.

 

What Conditions Make You More Likely to Fall?

 

What Can Happen After a Fall?

  • Falls can cause sprained or even broken toes and ankles
  • Falls can cause head injuries
  • Stiffness or numbness in legs and feet

 

What Are the Signs “Senior Care” Is Needed?

  • Foot pain that gets worse with physical activity
  • Slow-healing wounds or wounds that don’t heal at all
  • Swelling in the feet and ankles
  • Discomfort or pain that alters the way you walk
  • Tingling, burning, or numbness in the feet

 

Foot Care Tips for Seniors

  • Wear loose-fitting dry, clean socks every day
  • Establish a healthy foot care routine
  • Perform self-examinations between podiatrist visits (note: this is not a substitute for a physical examination.)
  • Keep feet moisturized
  • Keep nails clipped, straight down to the toenail

 

At Feet First Foot Care, establishing a routine visit with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas is easy. Please call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 or schedule online via our website, and our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
September 21, 2021
Category: fall prevention

Did you know over half of all senior accidental falls happen at home? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we recognize Falls Prevention Week every year during September. A fall can have a devasting effect on the life of an older person. Not only are falls the number one cause of non-fatal injuries, but they can also leave a lasting sense of fear that can hinder living a more full and active life. We offer the following tips for helping to make homes safer for our senior Middlesex County patients and the people who love them. Ask a family member or friend to do a walk-through of your home with you and make a note of areas where safety upgrades are needed.

Start at the Front Door

Lowering fall risk begins before you even get inside. Take a look at the steps or walkway that lead up to your house. Are there cracks or broken pieces of pavement that might be a tripping hazard? Is the lighting adequate? Make sure the path into your home is well lit and clear of debris.

Scan the Floors

One of the major causes of falls at home is tripping over things. Trace the path you walk daily in your house, from when you get up until you go to bed. Look for dangers to remove include:

  • Electrical cords stretched across walkways
  • Throw rugs
  • Piles of magazines or clutter
  • Short plant stands
  • Footstools

Secure Stairways

Install a second handrail on all staircases for better balance and stability. You can then hold on to both sides when going up or down. Add more lighting in dim stairwells. If the treads have carpeting, make sure there are no holes or snags to catch your foot on.

Beef Up Bathroom Safety

The bathroom can be a landmine for slip and fall accidents. Install grab bars around the toilet. Add no-slip grip strips to the floor of the shower. If you are unsteady on your feet, consider adding a specialized chair to your shower area. Tub-shower combinations may not be the best choice if lifting your leg is difficult.

Taking care of foot and ankle pain promptly is a critical step in decreasing your chances of falling. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can also help assess your risk of accidental falls and prescribe helpful devices like braces, canes, etc., to increase your stability. Make your appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to learn more.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 05, 2019
Category: fall prevention
Tags: shoes   senior   fall   vision  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we serve patients of all ages. For our senior patients, falls are a big concern. In fact, studies show that falls are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans. The good news is that there is much that can be done to reduce fall risk.

Pain-Free Feet Reduce Risk

If you or an older person you love is suffering from foot or ankle pain, fall risk is increased. It’s natural to walk in a way that is least painful but that can change your center of gravity and create an awkward gait that can lead to trips and falls. Don’t delay in getting podiatric pain evaluated. Contact our Cromwell office for an appointment and let our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas examine your feet and find the cause and treatment for your foot discomfort.

Home Safety Makeovers

An honest inspection of your home can reveal areas where improvements can be made to help you avoid falls. These include:

  • Adding lighting in dark places in rooms, halls, stairways. Make sure your outdoor lighting is also adequate around the entrance of your home.
  • Install grab bars and handrails in the bathroom around the toilet and shower. Make sure stairways have a railing on both sides.
  • Remove clutter on the floors. This includes stacks of magazines and papers, footstools, plants, etc.
  • Inspect the floors. Get rid of throw rugs. Nail down carpet corners that are sticking up. Make sure computer and electrical cords don’t go across a pathway.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Getting regular exercise helps strengthen your lower body and maintain flexibility in your feet. Look for exercise activities and classes that are designed to increase balance. Other ways that taking care of your health can help prevent falls include:

  • Get your eyes checked regularly. A decrease in vision may require a change in your eyeglass prescription to ensure you can see and accurately judge depth of field and see objects in your path.
  • Review your medications at least annually with your physician or pharmacist. Some medications or combination of drugs can cause you to feel dizzy, which increases the risk of falling.

If you are a senior patient and want help assessing your fall risk, contact us today.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
May 22, 2019
Category: fall prevention

In May we celebrate Older Americans Month. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, one of our goals is to educate our patients about the best ways to be proactive about their podiatric health. For senior patients, falls are a problem that can cause debilitating injuries like fractures and ankle sprains to the feet (or the rest of your body). You may be shocked to learn that every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall. Below are some fall risks you may have never thought about.

Foot Pain that’s Untreated—when your feet or ankles hurt, it can cause you to alter the way you walk to avoid the pain. This can throw you off balance and cause a trip or fall. This is why it’s essential that you don’t put off seeking treatment for foot pain or other symptoms like stiffness or numbness. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your lower extremities, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can diagnose your problem and prescribe the correct treatment.

Medication Changes—certain drugs or combinations of drugs can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. It’s a good idea to periodically review the complete list of medications you are taking with the pharmacist or doctor to find out if there are any negative interactions or side effects that could lead to a fall.

Neglecting Eye and Ear Checkups—poor vision or hearing loss will definitely contribute to your ability to navigate your environment safely. Follow your doctor’s recommended schedule of checkups and update prescriptions for glasses and/or hearing aids promptly.

Lack of Exercise—the less active you become, the more likely that joints will stiffen and range of motion in your knees and feet will decrease. This can cause you to stumble. In addition to your regular exercise regimen, consider a class that specifically focuses on building balance to further reduce your risk of falls.

Inadequate Lighting—stairways that are dim or hallways you need to use at night to get to the bathroom should all be properly lit so that you can see clearly – even at night.

Worn Out Shoes—shoes that are stretched out or have holes or worn treads can be a tripping hazard. Toss shoes when they no longer fit properly.

Preventing falls is just one way to protect your foot health. If you have questions about other foot care issues, contact us today.

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