Our bodies naturally change with age and these changes affect the way we feel, move, and behave. A fall can have a devastating and lasting impact on a person, resulting in injury, chronic pain and a reduced quality of life. Even without an injury, a fall can cause an older adult to lose confidence and reduce their activities. The good news is that there are actions you can take to prevent falls.

Key strategies to prevent falls

These are the most effective steps you can take to prevent a fall, as assessed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Finding Balance, a program for older adults and caregivers created by the Injury Prevention Centre at the University of Alberta.

• Exercise: challenge your balance and build strength.

• Get enough sleep.

• Take your time: don’t rush when walking or getting up.

• Balance your body through good nutrition and hydration.

• Get your sight and hearing checked regularly.

• Manage your medications and review them regularly with your pharmacist or doctor as some may make you prone to dizziness and falling.

• Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.

• Consider using a cane or other mobility device if needed.

• Maintain proper use of eyeglasses and hearing aids.

In your home

• Make sure you have proper lighting in hallways, stairs and walkways, as well as in the bedroom and bathroom.

• Keep stairs free of clutter and exterior stairs and walkways free of clutter, ice or snow.

• Install handrails along stairs and safety grab bars in the bathroom.

• Check your home for slipping and tripping hazards and use non-slip mats or rugs.

• Ensure regularly used items are within reach.

For babies & toddlers

– For young children who are still napping, stretch their normal first nap time (according to the new clock – if they usually nap at 10 a.m., try to make it as close to the new 10 a.m. as possible). Even if your child is awake longer than usual and they want to nap earlier, do what you can to keep them awake and occupied.

– Do the same thing for subsequent naps and bedtime -it will likely mean dealing with some cranky moments, but it will be worth the effort. By getting your child to nap at their regular time(s), you will help them achieve their regular bedtime without becoming too overtired By going to bed at the usual time, your child is less likely to wake early.

For preschoolers & children

– If your child is no longer napping, they may have a longer day ahead of them, be sure to spend the day keeping to your child’s routines, activities and meals at the usual times (according to the new clock).

– The night before the time change put your child to sleep at night a little later. For example, based on a 7:30 p.m. bedtime, bedtime would be moved later by 15 to 30 minutes to 7:45 or 8:00 p.m.

– On the night of the time change and for the next couple of nights, adjust bedtime earlier, working towards regular bedtime. For example, if your child’s usual bedtime is 7:30 p.m., start with a 7:00 p.m. bedtime (which will feel like 8:00 p.m. to the child) and gradually increase to 7:30 p.m. over next few nights.

– To help you and your child sleep later, as sunrise is about one hour earlier after the time change, ensure that your child’s room is very dark, otherwise you may find your child continuing to wake early in response to morning light.

With patience and consistency this fall time change will soon be a distant memory.

Pleasant dreams!

The flu vaccine protects you by:

• helping prevent serious flu-related complications

• reducing your chances of getting the flu at the same time as other respiratory illnesses, which could make you very sick

• protecting the health care system from becoming overwhelmed during respiratory illness season

Everyone is at risk of influenza. You should get the influenza vaccine if you are 6 months or older.

Influenza can make you very sick and lead to other health problems, especially if:

• You have heart or lung conditions, diabetes, a weak immune system, a lot of extra weight, or other health problems.

• You live in a care facility, like a continuing care home.

• You are under age 5 years.

• You are age 65 years or older.

• You are pregnant.

• You are an Indigenous person.

It is important to get the influenza vaccine each year, especially if:

• You have a high risk of getting very sick from influenza.

• You have close contact with someone who is at high risk of getting very sick from influenza, such as family members and caregivers.

• You are a healthcare provider. (Getting the vaccine helps to protect you and the people you care for.)

Where to get the flu vaccine

Pharmacists can give the influenza vaccine to anyone age 5 years and older.

Children under age 5 years and their families can get the influenza vaccine for Alberta Health Services influenza immunization clinics. Clinics are open from late October to the end of March.

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/influenza-vaccine.aspx….

For information on the topics listed below please visit: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/Pediat…/Pages/default.aspx

– Behaviors, emotions & social skills

– Breathing

– Communication

– Daily living skills

– Developmental milestones

– Eating, feeding & swallowing

– Fine motor skills

– Gross motor skills

– Hearing

– Infant head & neck

– Injuries & pain

– Play & activity

– Supports for mobility & positioning