As we head into the Spring and Summer months, many of us are itching to spend more time doing outdoor activities. While staying active is an important part of keeping our mind, body, and soul healthy as we age, it can also increase our risk of experiencing a fall-related injury. 

One great way to safely prepare for outdoor activities is by investing in new and correct-fitting shoes, which is especially important for Seniors who are already at a higher risk of falling. To make matters worse, costs and ramifications associated with falling are not just a one. Just like the rest of our body, our feet age as well. This means that your feet change over time, and the shoes you have from ten years ago might not fit correctly any longer.  

If not addressed, poorly fitting shoes can cause arch pain, scrunched toes, heel pain, or even a fall. If the latter takes place, it can lead to a host of fall-related injuries including fractures, sprains, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or even chronic pain. 

Safe footwear for aging adults means that you have a snug fit with a well-fitted toe box, and a low profile broad heel. Also, make sure that those shoes are easy enough to put on and take off without struggling. 

Although new shoes can help you, your loved ones, or a patient stay stable while continuing to live independently, it doesn’t mean a fall won’t happen. But when one does, SmartCells can be there for you. 

How SmartCells Cushioned Mats & Flooring Work:

Our SmartCells Fall Protection products provide a safe flooring solution that allows users to remain independent while providing peace of mind that they are protected should a fall occur. In a recent study, it was found that SmartCells provides a 43% reduction in the rate of both major and minor fall injuries. How?

The patented structure of SmartCells mats and flooring offers a stable surface that does not impair balance or gait, but cushions under the impact of a fall to effectively reduce up to 90% of the force of that fall. It is this unique ability to provide both stability and cushioning that makes SmartCells such an effective solution to help seniors avoid life-altering situations.  

At SmartCells, we believe that Life Shouldn’t Hurt. It is this belief that drives us to help solve life’s painful problems…because falls happen, but injuries don’t have to. 

Rapaport, L. (2019, July 5). Seniors may need new shoes to avoid pain, prevent falls. Retrieved from https://www.physiciansweekly.com/seniors-may-need-new/

Falls are inevitable. And they can significantly affect your finances. The financial burden of falls in regards to medical costs, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, totals more than $50 billion annually.  That means about 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized due to a fall-related injury. That means, when broken down, one out of five falls can cause a serious injury resulting in hospitalization, typically a broken bone or a traumatic brain injury. 

To make matters worse, costs and ramifications associated with falling are not just a one-time deal, they often create lifelong ripples. In fact, most people who fall develop a fear of it happening again. This cognitive strain greatly impacts their mobility and independence to move around, which can result in the need to seek further care.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, an estimated median annual cost for hands-on, 24-hour senior care services is a whopping $183,960. As for the costs associated with private-room nursing communities, the average is roughly $100,375 annually. 

Here at SATECH, Inc., we know that falls are going to happen, but we believe that injuries don’t have to. Our goal is to help your facility or loved-one take action and proactively seek out a solution before a costly fall occurs. This is why we have engineered a highly-effective cushioned flooring technology for preventing fall-related injuries. 

Our SmartCells Technology is optimized to be both stable AND cushioned. The patented design provides a supportive surface that won’t impair balance or gait, but that also gets softer under impact to reduce up to 90% of the force related to a fall. This creates the perfect balance of support and cushion for more independence and a minimized risk of fall-related injuries. 

We believe that Life Shouldn’t Hurt. That goes for your family and financial stability.

Falling may not seem as big of a deal as Cancer, but it truly is. More than a third of older adults experience a fall. In fact, among adults aged 65 and above, falls are responsible for most injury-related deaths and are a leading cause of injuries and hospital admissions. Furthermore, falling once doubles the likelihood of a second fall.

Falls are going to happen. They are common and more frequent than we would like to think. This is why SmartCells is committed to helping reduce fall related injuries. Here are some simple solutions to help reduce your risk of injury.

Solution 1: Establish and maintain a good balance, strength, and exercise program. 

It is recommended that adults, seniors, and at-risk patients, continue to stay physically active. According to Physical Therapist, Lora Stutzman, of Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network, exercise can help build muscle tone and strength, while improving balance  including walking and yoga to your routine, can be a great way to improve cardiovascular health. 

Stutzman recommends some easy and effective balance and strengthening exercises include balancing for about 30 seconds with your feet together, feet apart, and on one foot. Once you have mastered 30 seconds try increasing it to 45 and so on. In regards to strengthening exercises, sit-to-stand movements seem to be simple and supportive. By utilizing a sturdy table and a chair, practice lowering yourself up and down slowly and steadily. Make sure to engage your glutes and focus on shifting your weight in your feet. Note, for older adults activities that involve squatting, standing up from a chair, or walking may be difficult. Please make sure that you consult your physician or physical therapist first before trying these exercises out.

Solution 2: Be proactive about preventing fall injuries.

Preventing fall-related injuries is easy if you can prevent the fall…but the reality is, falls still will continue to happen. This is exactly the reason that SmartCells has engineered a mat and flooring solution to help be proactive in reducing fall related injuries.

Our products are available in pre-sized or custom area mats, and complete wall-to-wall applications for total fall protection coverage. Our cushioned flooring solutions take the guesswork out of fall protection and will not absorb liquids, virtually eliminating any infection control risk. SmartCells Fall Protection flooring can be used as a standalone system or a cushioned subfloor under sheet vinyl or carpet tiles, providing many design options for any living space.

We believe that Life Shouldn’t Hurt, especially falling at the start of this new year. SmartCells gives you peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe, no matter when or where they fall.

SmartCells: Falls Happen. Injuries Don’t Have To.

References

Sutzman, L. (n.d.). Fall Prevention: Balance and strength exercises for older adults. Retrieved From: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fall-prevention-exercises