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Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, March 3, 2011 keep your balance – tips provided for fall prevention Falls are the most common cause of injury in the United States, particularly among old- er adults. Whether it’s a slip on wet or icy pavement or a trip on a rug or stairway, the risk of bruises, broken bones and back and head injuries is signif- icant. “Most people fall due of a lack of attention, rushing around or accidental situations, but some individuals are actu- ally at greater risk for falling,” said Joseph Caccavo, physical therapist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-re- hab .com). “Older adults, as well as those with a history of low blood pressure, stroke or neurological disorders, vision deficits or balance problems, as well as those taking certain medications, all face greater challenges.” The good news is that there are ways to minimize the risk of falling by making simple changes around the home and workplace, and improving bal- ance with proper training and exercise. “Clutter is a way of life for many of us, but it’s something we can control. Similarly, we have the tools to effectively evaluate and treat individuals who have balance disorders to help minimize their risk of falling and optimize their quality of life,” explained Kessler phys- ical therapist Michelle O’Keefe. “In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that older adults include balance exercises as part of an overall fitness pro- gram.” Kessler’s new Fall Preven- tion Program (www.kessler-re hab.com/programs/outpatient- services/falls.com) draws on the expertise and experience of an interdisciplinary team of li- censed physical, occupational and speech therapists, includ- ing certified cognitive, vision and vestibular specialists, to determine fall risk and develop individualized treatment plans. “Our goal is to help individu- als maintain balance in their lives, at home, at work and at play,” added Kessler occupa- tional therapist Norma Glen- non. To help reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls and im- prove balance, Kessler Institute offers the following recommen- dations: • Be sure flooring is in good condition and remove throw rugs. • Clear stairs, hallways and rooms of clutter and other ob- stacles. • Secure or remove any electrical wires or cords. • Make sure lighting is ade- quate both inside and outside the home – especially on stair- ways. Install automatic light sensors, timers or night lights. • Place a telephone in each room or carry a cordless phone with you to avoid having to rush to answer a call. • Avoid sitting in rockers, swivel chairs and chairs with wheels. • Be sure railings and banis- ters are secure. • Install hand rails or grip bars in showers and bathtubs and place non-slip strips or de- cals on the floor/tub. Also use a rubber-backed bath mat when you step out. • Take extra precautions on uneven, wet, or icy pavements. • Reduce attentional de- mands and focus on the activi- ty at hand. • Include balance exercises in your fitness regimen, such as one-leg stands and sit-to-stand exercises, as well as exercises to build ankle, leg, and hip strength. Individuals who are experi- encing problems with balance, dizziness or falling should be examined by a physician. For more information, visit www. kessler-rehab.com. Report details Columbia County tobacco trends Cigarette smoking is up slightly across the state, but has declined in Columbia County, the Oregon Health Au- thority reports. The “2011 Oregon Tobacco Facts & Laws,” says that 17.1 percent of adults smoked in Oregon in 2009, up from 15.7 503-901-1705 percent in 2008. Smoking rates in Columbia County have de- creased from 20 to 17.1 per- cent of the adult population. “There is a lot more work to do, but it is nice to see some good news in this report,” said Sherrie Ford, Tobacco Preven- tion and Education Coordinator for the Columbia Health Dis- trict. Both sets of statistics are part of an overall downward trend. Smoking has declined steadily since 1996, the first year the state began gathering data as part of the Tobacco Prevention and Education Pro- gram. The Oregon-wide smok- ing rate was 23.7 percent in 1996. The number of cigarettes consumed has dropped much faster. Since 1996, per capita cigarette consumption de- creased 48 percent. Tobacco is still the number one cause of preventable death in Oregon, but tobacco-related deaths are also going down. Deaths declined from 93.6 per 100,000 people between 1996 and 2001, to 89.2 per 100,000 between 2002 and 2007, a 4.7 percent drop. In Columbia County, 7,143 people regularly smoked ciga- rettes in 2009. The latest report says that 6,318 people regular- ly smoke cigarettes in the coun- ty. Ford and other public health officials attribute the improve- ments in part to the Smoke-free Workplace Law that took effect in 2009. “As smoking becomes less socially acceptable,” Ford said, “people are more willing to in- stitute non-smoking or tobacco- free policies.” Columbia Com- munity Mental Health adopted a tobacco free property, as have all of the school districts in Columbia County. The teens of Columbia County exhibit a different trend among tobacco use. In Colum- bia County 11 percent of eighth Graders smoke (state rate is 9 percent) and 20 percent of 11th graders (state rate is 16 per- cent). This is an increase of one percent among eighth graders and a one percent de- crease among 11th graders since 2009. The report also highlights the cost of smoking. Columbia County residents spend $14 million on medical care for to- bacco-related illnesses every year. Statewide, tobacco users spend $1.2 billion every year. Together with the indirect costs of lost productivity due to pre- mature death, (reported at $1.1 billion), the report estimates the total annual economic cost to Oregon due to tobacco at $2.3 billion. The total financial burden to Oregonians of each pack of cigarettes is $13.27 according to the report. The Columbia Health Coali- tion is seeking opportunities to improve healthy behaviors in Columbia County. If you have tobacco or smoke-free proper- ty, or would like assistance in creating a policy that works for you, contact Sherrie Ford at sford@chdpublic health.com or call 503-397-4651, ext. 2021. The Tobacco Quitline is a free coaching resource to help anyone quit, please call 1-800- QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or got to www.quitnow.met/ore- gon/. $48 million for health care exchange Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden an- nounced February 17 that Ore- gon will receive over $48 mil- lion to pioneer a new online health care exchange that will allow Oregonians to compare, purchase, and enroll in private health insurance plans. State- based exchanges are a result of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and al- low individuals and small-busi- ness owners to pool their pur- chasing power to negotiate lower rates. The Oregon Health Authority estimates that 516,000 Medicaid clients and 277,000 commercial insurance consumers will use the Health Insurance Exchange to shop for and enroll in health cover- age. “Oregon has a reputation for innovation in health care. This grant is a vote of confidence in our state’s leadership in devel- oping the health information technology backbone needed to operate the exchange,” Merkley said. “When complet- ed, the exchange will help Ore- gonians compare private health insurance plans and en- roll in the plan that best fits their situation as well as pro- vide a template for other states to follow.” “Once again Oregon is at the forefront of healthcare inno- vation and they are being re- warded for it,” Wyden said. “These funds will help the state build the technological infra- structure they need to operate top flight healthcare exchanges that will provide high quality health care options for Oregon residents when the healthcare law goes on line in 2014. A pro- gram like this is also further proof that states should be en- couraged to innovate now while the health care ex- changes are being created, and be ready to hit the ground running in 2014 with something that works best for their resi- dents.” According to the Department of Health and Human Services, other states receiving grants in- clude Kansas, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and a multi-state consortia led by the University of Massachu- setts Medical School. Starting in 2014, exchanges will enable individuals and small employers to shop for, select, and enroll in high-quali- ty, affordable private health plans that fit their individual needs at competitive prices. By providing a place for one-stop shopping, exchanges will make purchasing health insurance easier and more consumer- friendly. Information on how much each state or consortium will receive and how each will use the grant funds is available at www.HealthCare.gov/news/fac tsheets/exchanges02162011a. html .