Be a Community Leader

Are you aware of the Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2004? I am, because I had a serious fall several years ago and suffered a broken hip. Since that time I have been very cognizant of the dangers facing most senior citizens when they fall. A fall can be a debilitating event, and the consequences for many seniors are devastating.

This piece of legislation, which at my writing was sitting in committee in the House of Representatives, would expand research and education related to falls among older people.

If the bill passes, will it then be illegal for a senior citizen to fall? Preventing “to fall” is something that cannot be legislated. But as DME providers, we should make efforts to educate senior citizens and family caregivers of the risks involved with falls and the steps that can be taken to prevent such accidents from happening.

There are many brochures on home safety and falling that you can easily obtain to distribute to your customers. Make your company a leader by enlightening your clientele about these difficulties — this is the major aim of the bill.

When I speak with my peers, the problem of falling invariably comes up. We all know someone who has experienced this kind of accident. By teaching prevention techniques, your company will be recognized not only by your customers but also by medical professionals — physicians, nurses and EMT squads — as a community leader.

Americans 25 Pounds Heavier Than in 1960

This information was reported in Home Care Monday (Nov. 18, 2004).

I purchased airline tickets to head north from Florida to be with my grandchildren for the holidays. At the airport, I had an interesting chat with some Delta airline personnel. I was really not aware that the added weight of some passengers is a large contributing factor to the increased cost of flying. The airlines are obliged to carry additional fuel to accommodate the weight differential they now have to contend with. Think about just 200 passengers, each 25 pounds heavier, and that number alone accounts for two-and-a-half tons (5,000 pounds) of extra weight on only one flight.

One of the airline employees suggested that I look around at the waiting passengers. She indicated that more than half of them were overweight, and about half of the overweight people were bariatric. That was so, and I was appalled!