Many of us remember the commercials that often run on late night television with the phrase “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Even younger generations have picked up on this phrase that often is used in a comical sense. However, many people simply don’t understand the potential lethality even a small fall could have for one of our elderly loved ones.
We are taught from the time that we are infants taking our first steps that falling is a part of walking and that we need to pick ourselves up, dust off the dirt, and keep on going. When we were first learning to walk there was often someone there to help pick us up when you fall.
But what happens if there is no one there to pick you up when you fall and can’t get up?
This question has been of serious concern for many elders and their loved ones who face the difficult task of trying to maintain independence, while being safeguarded against the dangers associated with that. While we wish we could always be there for our elderly loved ones, the fact of the matter is that we can’t.
According to Center for Disease Control expert Judy Stevens, 30-35% of people over age 65 fall each year, one in five of those falls involve a serious injury, and 65% of those falls result in an emergency room visit.
SmartCells Fall Protection Mat
A bone fracture, or any other fall-related injury for that matter, can be extremely dangerous even potentially fatal and is often considered the beginning of an elderly person’s demise. In fact, the CDC also found that “approximately 20% of older adults hospitalized for a hip fracture die within a year and about 50% will suffer a major decline in independence.”
SmartCells Fall Protection mats and flooring offer effective solutions to this issue. The unique SmartCells technology utilizes what is known as dual-stiffness flooring because it provides the stability of being on a hard surface while also retaining the capability to compress like springs which cushion falls and protects our loved ones.
SATECH, Inc. SmartCells fall protection mats combine style and quality with features like beveled edges, which reduce tripping hazards and allow wheeled objects such as beds and chairs to easily roll over the mat, and anti-slip surfaces, to provide a safe and elegant alternative to many other fall protection and prevention products. In addition to fall protection mats, SATECH, Inc. also offers custom flooring solutions when the potential space where a fall can happen is larger than that of a mat.
SATECH, Inc. fall protection mats and flooring solutions will be there for your loved ones when you can’t be.