With winter conditions upon us falls are once again a common occurrence.  The Northern Health Region’s Bruce Krentz says seniors are the ones most at risk of falling.  He says in older adults falls account for about two billion dollars in direct health care costs annually noting over one third of older adults will be admitted to long term care after hospitalization for a fall.  He says it’s kind of a scary thing that 20 to 30 percent of seniors experience at least a fall a year and 95 percent of all hip fractures are due to a fall.

Krentz adds the best ways to avoid falls around home are to keep active, eat well, use medication wisely and keep your house well lit and free of obstacles.