November is Falls Prevention month. Falls are a real concern for older adults and can lead to injuries. The following tips can reduce your risk: • Get regular exercise and physical activity. • Have your medications reviewed by a physician or pharmacist as some medication combinations can cause dizziness, leading to falling. • Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. Poor vision and hearing are linked to increased falls. • Fall-proof your home by removing tripping hazards, using nightlights, and keeping items within reach. A Fall Risk Assessment at Robynne Smith Physiotherapy can help you stay steadier on your feet and reduce your risk of falling.

Fitness is a life long journey. It can’t be earned in one workout, gained by eating well for one week, or through one eight hour sleep. The long-term benefits only come to those who stick with the plan, adapt as life changes, and most importantly enjoy the ride. We call this building healthy habits. Imagine if you ate one apple a day and did 20-30 minutes of varied physical activity 3 days per week. Over one year that would be 365 apples and 78 hours of physical activity accumulated through your habits. Focus on making only one change every 2-4 weeks and watch your life change.

November is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, a condition that affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men in Canada. Osteoporotic hip fractures are more common and take up more hospital beds than stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. According to Osteoporosis Canada, after a hip fracture, 27% of people go into rehab care and 17% go to long-term care facilities. We begin to lose bone in our mid-thirties, so build it up in your twenties with weight-bearing exercise, balance support (yoga or Tai Qi), adequate calcium and minerals from diet, vitamin D supplements, and avoiding junk food/pop intake.