The top three most common yet preventable problems we see in Emergency are caused by alcohol, falls, and infection. Reduce your chances of making an unplanned visit to the Emergency room by ensuring you:
- Get enough sleep: Get adequate rest to improve your
body's ability to fight illness, and respect your body's fatigue signals. - Avoid driving if you are sleep deprived and never drink alcohol if you plan to get behind the wheel.
- Wash your hands: Frequent hand washing with soap or antiseptic gel can significantly reduce your chances of developing most viral illnesses, including influenza. Always wash or disinfect your hands before eating.
- Watch your step: As we age, our reflexes slow and our night vision diminishes, so special caution is needed to reduce your risk of a fall. Watch for slippery surfaces and low obstacles when the lighting is poor.
- Take your medicine correctly: Use medicine carefully. Follow the instructions and make sure you have a sufficient supply of your prescription medications.
- Get informed about your health conditions.
- Get immunized: Visit your local health unit or physician to become informed about immunization shots you need to avoid getting the flu and a host of other serious diseases. Childhood immunization is particularly important.
Do you have diabetes, asthma or a history of heart problems? These are known as chronic diseases. We recommend you to work with your local health care provider to learn how to better manage your health condition, improve your wellness and prevent frequent hospital stays.
Read Florence's story about how to avoid a trip to Emergency, and learn more about Emergency Geriatric Nurses.
