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Fall Prevention

Prevention is better than cure! 

Every year, about 30% of people aged 65 and older experience a fall. For them, a fall often represents the beginning of a loss of autonomy and mobility. Indeed, in general, the elderly are more physically fragile. In this age group, falls often result in hip fractures, a trauma requiring a long convalescence, some of which is experienced in hospital. 

Falls are multifactorial events that can be associated with the characteristics of the individual, their behaviours or the characteristics of their environment. 

Do you ever have: 

  • Feeling less strength in your legs? 
  • Having low energy at the end of the day? 
  • To circulate without lighting at night? 
  • To climb on a chair to reach the top cabinet? 
  • To take natural products with the medications prescribed by your doctor? 
  • Less balance or fall? 
  • Skipping meals or eating very little? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of falling. 

Regular physical activity is known to help prevent falls, including strengthening the leg and back muscles, as well as improving balance, flexibility and reflexes in older adults.

 

Services Offered 

In Abitibi-Témiscamingue, a falls prevention program (known as the PIED Program for Integrated Dynamic Balance Program) is offered in all MRCs in the territory. 

Offered free of charge, this program is intended for people 65 years of age and older, who have had a fall in the past year or who are concerned about their balance or the risk of falls. 

  • Duration: twelve consecutive weeks (two meetings per week). 
  • Individual assessment at the beginning and end of the session. 
  • Led by health professionals with recognized training. 
  • Content: group exercises, exercise routines to do at home, discussions and information capsules on various themes: safe behaviours, home design, etc. 

To learn more about the program or to register for the next session near you:

 

MRC d’Abitibi 
Tel.: 819-732-6696, ext. 3235 

MRC d'Abitibi-Ouest 
Tel.: 819-782-4661, ext. 3220 

Rouyn-Noranda 
Tel.: 819-762-0908, ext. 44375 

MRC de Témiscamingue 

Tel.: 819-627-3385, ext. 1248 (Témiscaming-Kipawa Pavilion) 

Tel.: 819-622-2773, ext. 4412 (Sainte-Famille Pavilion) 

MRC de la Vallée-de-l'Or 
Tel.: 819-825-5858, ext. 5219

 

Documentation