Source: Health Canada

Getting Up

1. Lie on your side, bend the leg that is on top, and lift yourself onto your elbows or hands.

2. Pull yourself toward an armchair or other sturdy object, then kneel while placing both hands on the chair or object.

3. Place your stronger leg in front, holding on to the chair or object.

4. Stand up. assessment to establish a baseline. After six weeks and again at the end of the sessions, participants were retested and most showed increased leg strength, walking ability, and balance.

All those in attendance were very enthusiastic about these training sessions. Our session leader, Dawn, along with fifteen other peer leaders have been nominated for a Compassion in Action award with Healthy Ageing Alberta.

Donna Mayer ´ s career as an educator spanned primary to high school, special needs, and administration. She is loving retirement with opportunities to travel and enjoy the grandchildren. Currently Donna is on the executive for the St. Albert and Area Retired Teachers ´ Association( STARTA).

Learn more about Not Falling for You at findingbalancealberta. ca.

Interested in becoming a peer leader? For more information on free leader training, contact injury. preventionedmonton @ ahs. ca or 587-596-0845.

5. Very carefully, turn and sit down.

If You Cannot Get Up

1. Call out for help or make noise to attract attention.

2. If you are alone, use a phone or emergency call device. Try to gently slide yourself towards a telephone if one isn’ t nearby.

3. Wait for help in the most comfortable position for you.

4. If you can, place a pillow under your head and cover yourself with a piece of clothing or a blanket to stay warm.

5. Try to move your joints to ease circulation and prevent stiffness.

After Recovery

A fall might be embarrassing, and you might be tempted to write it off as a fluke that will not happen again. This is the wrong reaction.

Identify the source of your fall and correct it. Loose rug? Replace it with a non-slip variety. Poor footwear? Wear something more stable. If your fall was a result of dizziness or fatigue, see a doctor.

Above all, ask for help and advice from your friends and loved ones so you can ensure this doesn ´ t happen again.

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