Millions of older people fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While younger people may not think much of a simple household trip, falls are much more serious than many realize. Their aftermath can drastically alter a persons quality of life, putting their physical and mental health at risk. Thats why fall prevention is so critically important.At ComForCare, our mission is to help older adults live at home safely and confidently for as long as possible. We work alongside families, providing not only expert care but also educational resources to support healthy relationships and healthy families. Lets take a look at why fall prevention matters, how to recognize risk factors, and what you can do to prevent falls!Why Fall Prevention MattersWhile not every fall results in a serious injury, one in five doesand the consequences can be life-altering. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries and hip fractures, and they account for 3 million emergency department visits each year. And while its painful to think about, the CDC estimates that by 2030, falls could cause dozens of deaths per day.Even if the fall itself doesnt result in death, the complications can be devastating. Seniors may experience severely limited mobility and cognitive function, restricting their activities, leading to physical decline and even depression and social isolation. All of these outcomes are linked to a shorter lifespan.Most Common Risk Factors for a FallMedications: Some medications or combinations of medications can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and delayed reaction times as side effects. Cognitive impairments: Alzheimers disease and dementia can slow down reaction times or make it easy to become distracted and overlook a fall risk.Nutritional deficiencies: Many older adults dont get enough protein or vitamin D in their diets, leading to muscle loss and weakness that increases the risk of falling.Lower body weakness: Many health conditions and simply aging itself can lead to weakness in the lower body or difficulties with walking and balance. Health care issues: blood pressure that is too low or too high, vision impairments, and even podiatric issues can all contribute to falls.What Can Seniors Do to Prevent Falls?For optimized comfort and safety at your or your loved ones home, use these steps to prevent falls!Home Safety InterventionsFall-proofing your home is one of the most important interventions you can make. To start, remove any throw rugs, floor clutter, or electrical cords that can be tripped over. Additional changes to consider include:Fixing any broken or uneven steps & flooringMoving furniture so loved ones using an assistive device like a cane or walker can easily navigate around itInstalling grab bars in bathroomsFor additional steps, download our fall risk reduction guide! To fully safeguard your loved one and account for their needs, you may also consider a personalized fall risk assessment. Exercises for Balance & StrengthIn some cases, older adults may need the help of a physical therapist or occupational therapist to regain their strength and balance. But all seniors can benefit from exercises to reduce the risk of falls. Even simple exercises can help! One of the easiest leg-strengthening exercises is the calf raise. From a standing position, rise up on your toes, keeping your heels above the ground. Then, slowly return to your normal position. Try doing three sets of ten calf raises with one to three minutes of rest in between. Call in a friend or family member to help with balance!Improve Awareness & Reduce the FearFall risk awareness sits at the middle of a spectrum. On one hand, some people dont realize that falls arent a normal part of aging and therefore dont understand their risk factors. On the other, some people become afraid, reducing or restricting healthy activities out of a fear of falling. Fall risk management programs like Gaitway are designed to help older adults overcome those fears and minimize their risks. Gaitway helps people view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, and take manageable steps to reduce their fall risks at home.Consider In-Home CareIf your loved one has one or more fall risk factors or has fallen in the past, it may be time to consider in-home care. ComForCares caregivers are trained in all aspects of fall prevention, performing safety assessments and screenings, recommending adjustments to the home environment, and so much more. Our caregivers understand senior nutrition and can prepare meals to support their vitamin, mineral, protein, and hydration goals. They can provide mobility assistance to boost confidence and make getting around easier. They can manage medications and coordinate with healthcare providers. And above all, theyre an additional resource for families supporting elderly loved ones, establishing open lines of communication about fall fears and concerns.Schedule a Home Safety Evaluation with ComForCareBeing an active fall manager for a loved one is an important role. But it can be a lot to manage, and important things easily go unmanaged or unnoticed. If youre ready for a partner to close the gaps and provide an expert perspective, choose ComForCare. We provide in-home care services to help seniors age comfortably and safely at home. Well match your family member with a caregiver ideally suited to their preferences, personality, and needs so you can rest assured that theyre receiving the best assistance possible.Schedule a home safety evaluation with ComForCare today to protect your loved one and support their needs!Contact ComForCare to Be Matched with Your Perfect Caregiver call today, 720-575-5576.

As you know, the gig economy has been booming over the past several years. If youre thinking of using your skills to take on a side gig, what should you do with the money youll make?Theres no one right answer for everyone, and the decisions you make should be based on your individual situation. And of course, you may simply need the extra income to support your lifestyle and pay the bills. But if you already have your cash flow in good shape, and you have some freedom with your gig money, consider these suggestions: Contribute more to your IRA. If you couldnt afford to contribute the maximum amount to your IRA, you may find it easier to do so when you have additional money coming in from a side gig. For the 2023 tax year, you can put in up to $6,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $7,500 if youre 50 or older. (Starting in 2024, this extra $1,000 catch-up contribution amount may be indexed for inflation.) The amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA is reduced, and eventually eliminated, at certain income levels. Look for new investment opportunities. If youre already maxing out your IRA, you might be able to find other investment possibilities for your side gig money. For example, if you have young children, perhaps you could use some of the money to invest in a 529 education savings plan. A 529 plan offers potential tax advantages and can be used for college, qualified trade school programs, and possibly some K-12 expenses. Please keep in mind that potential tax advantages will vary from state to state. Build an emergency fund. Life is full of unexpected events and some can be quite expensive. What if you needed a major car repair or required a medical procedure that wasnt totally covered by your health insurance? Would you have the cash available to pay these bills? If not, would you be forced to dip into your IRA or 401(k)? This might not be a good move, as it could incur taxes and penalties, and deprive you of resources you might eventually need for retirement. Thats why you might want to use your gig earnings to help fund an emergency fund containing several months worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. To avoid being tempted to dip into your emergency fund, you may want to keep it separate from your daily spending accounts.   Pay down debts. Most of us will always carry some debts, but we can usually find ways to include the bigger ones mortgage, car payments and so on into our monthly budgets. Its often the smaller debt payments, frequently associated with high-interest-rate credit cards, that cause us the most trouble, in terms of affecting our cash flow. If you can use some of your side gig money to pay down these types of debts, you could possibly ease some of the financial stress you might be feeling. And instead of directing money to pay for things you purchased in the past, you could use the funds to invest for your future.As weve seen, your side gig money could open several promising windows of opportunity so take a look through all of them. Chad Choate III, AAMS828 3rd Avenue WestBradenton, FL  34205941-462-2445chad.chaote@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who treats musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, and is trained to perform surgery when needed. Orthopedic surgeons are responsible for treating and diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.  Many people believe that orthopedic surgeons only use surgery as an option to treat orthopedic injuries and ailments. That is not true. Orthopedic surgeons use a variety of treatment options, surgery is only one option that orthopedic surgeons use to treat orthopedic injuries or ailments. Other treatment options that orthopedic surgeons use are injections, physical/ occupational therapy, braces, and splints. The injury or condition is what determines what kind of treatment options will be available.Orthopedic surgeons can see patients and treat a variety of different orthopedic conditions. Some orthopedic surgeons may choose to specialize in one area which could be foot and ankle, spine, or hip and knee. Other orthopedic surgeons may choose to not specialize, and work in general orthopedics. Conditions that orthopedic surgeons treat can include:ArthritisOsteoporosis FracturesSports InjuriesTendon or Ligament Issues Nerve ConditionsDegenerative Bone & Joint ConditionsOrthopedic surgeons provide both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for a variety of different treatment options. They are in charge of getting their patients back to doing what they love to do. If you are looking to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, please contact our office at 239 - 325 - 4090.  325 - 4090.