LifeSTEPS Senior Fall Prevention
While LifeSTEPS was teaching a class on Adaptive Devices at Heritage Park Senior Apartments in Cathedral City, the residents dialogue slowly transformed. Following resident dialogue, the subject turned into Falls & Fall Prevention. On this particular day our Senior Regional Director of Social Services had the residents bring their favorite adaptive devices to share.
Resident Del shared his portable “Safety Grip Handle.” He likes the portable model because he can take it with him when he visits with his children and grandchildren. It gives him the confidence to travel knowing that he can take a shower and not fear falls because he has his own grip-handle. The handle works using suction, they come in different shapes & sizes. 
Ruth had moved into Heritage Park when they opened in 2004. She has kept the same unit this whole time. Heritage Park was able to install a permanent grip bar for her. Ruth is one of LifeSTEPS most active participants. She relies on a walker, but that doesn’t stop her from doing activities. She just celebrated her 95 birthday and her two daughters took her on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate! Ruth doesn’t let the fear of falling stop her from “living.” She’s prefers to have the permanent safety grip in her apartment. She doesn’t travel very much, and she knows her daughters “have her covered.” During the cruise they made sure they had the handicap cabin for her. Also, she was able to use her walker comfortably during her whole vacation.
To see what you can do to prevent fall, check out the CDC website linked here for “What You Can Do to Prevent Falls” program and brochures!
It is so important the LifeSTEPS team joins in this national Fall Prevention day and continues to educate the residents to avoid these common accidents. Wonderful stories above, thanks.