Letter: Education sought for preventing falls at home

To the editor,

My mother fell in January of 2011 and we didn't see it coming. My dad fell in October of 2011 and we didn't see that coming either!

Both resulted in a hospital stay and follow up either in an assisted living or rehab facility. It was very stressful in both cases. So, I'm wondering if a physician, nurse or other healthcare professional might comment in the Gazette on how to prevent falls at home. I was very interested to hear from someone that urinary tract infections can cause falls in seniors. Apparently it affects older people differently and can really pack a wallop. I see that there are simple urine test strips that are sold over the counter that can help detect UTIs at home.

Perhaps if people were educated on how to use them, it might tell us when to be concerned about symptoms.

Any health care professionals out there that wish to chime in?

— Debbie Jahnke

Hastings

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