The winter months with the snow and ice can be a frightening time for seniors and limit their independence.

Falls are the leading cause of injuries among seniors, and an information session this morning hosted by the Central Alberta Falls Prevention Coalition of Alberta, worked to educate local service providers and caregivers about strategies to prevent falls.

Executive Director of the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre in Red Deer, Monica Morrison, says fall stats are quite alarming.

“1 out of 3 Albertans over the age of 65 will fall at least once a year, and when you hit 80, 1 out of 2 Albertans will fall at least once a year in our province.  95% of all hip fractures and 40% of all nursing home admissions are a direct result of falling, and falls can also lead to death”.

The number of seniors that land in hospital following a fall in our province also places considerable strain on the healthcare system.

“79 emergency department visits each day based on stats that we received from Alberta Health, and 27 fall related hospital admissions each day as well.  The average length of stay in a hospital due to a fall is 3 weeks”.

Morrison says exercise is key in fall prevention, keeping seniors physically active so they can maintain good balance and core strength.

She also encourages you to spend time in the homes of seniors in your life, looking for potential hazards like floor rugs and extension cords, and ensuring proper hand rails are in place in bathrooms and stairways.