Elderly falling danger

79 year old Audrey Welsh isn't always so steady on her feet. She's developed a pretty serious case of vertigo.<br/><br/>Audrey Welsh: "Where you get the dizzy spells and they come on you all of

Sunday, May 8th 2005, 6:13 pm

By: News On 6

79 year old Audrey Welsh isn't always so steady on her feet. She's developed a pretty serious case of vertigo.

Audrey Welsh: "Where you get the dizzy spells and they come on you all of a sudden so therefore you're not able to really get ready for them and then I'm on the floor."

She's fallen several times and broken her back and her arm. Welsh is not alone.

Margenell: "I came here from the hospital because I broke my arm."

Falling is one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths for seniors.

Loree Smith, The Parke Exec Dir: "I think families and seniors themselves have a little bit of denial about how significantly a fall can affect their lives."

One in three people over the age of 65 will fall every year, many end up with serious injuries like hip fractures or head trauma, but Loree Smith with the Parke Assisted Living Center says they're things you can do to protect your loved ones.

Loree Smith: "seniors have a tendency to push or pull on furniture to stand up or get out of sitting position and you can't push these tables over."

Check the furniture, watch out for chairs and tables that tip over easily. Get rid of cords and rugs that could make your loved one trip. And check your medications with your doctor the Centers for Disease Control says over-medicating can increase the risk of falling.

Audrey Welsh and her family chose assisted living.

Audrey Welsh, The Parke Resident: "oh yes i do love it here and i kind of take advantage of everything they have to offer and they have so many activities oh my goodness."

Mary Ellen Banfield, Audrey's Daughter: "She never has to think twice they're there everytime she needs something and its very comforting to us."

Her daughter feels better and Audrey Welsh is still getting around.