Back'Get a Grip' to Prevent Falls
Article submitted by Terrell Sletten and Marva Sletten, Get A Grip Grab Bars, Inc. they can be reached at 239-482-2145.
It is common knowledge that Southwest Florida has a large population of older adults. It may not be so well known that those individuals are at a significantly increased risk for falls and injury. Consider these statistics from the Centers for Disease Control:
- One in three adults 65 and older falls each year.
- Of those who fall, 20% to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries that make it hard for them to get around or live independently and increase their chances of early death.
- Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes.
Fall Prevention is a well researched topic and much resource information can be found on-line by simply doing a search on the subject. Brochures entitled 'What You Can Do To Prevent Falls' and 'Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults' can easily be downloaded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Among recommendations listed there are grab bars in showers and tubs as well as next to toilets and secure handrails next to steps or stairs. Other mportant strategies suggested are having your vision checked and a review of your medications by a health care provider. Aside from the personal suffering caused by falls, the economic impact is huge. According to CDC statistics:
In 2000, the total direct cost of all fall injuries for people 65 and older exceeded $19 billion: $0.2 billion for fatal falls, and $19 billion for non-fatal falls.
In a study of people age 72 and older, the average health care cost of a fall injury totaled $19,440, which included hospital, nursing home, emergency room, and home health care, but not doctors' services.
Get A Grip Grab Bars, Inc. specializes in home accessibility and safety modifications. Owned by Terrell Sletten, a licensed general contractor and his wife Marva Sletten, a registered physical therapist, 'Get A Grip' offers a full range of accessibility options. Installation of safety grab bars in bathrooms is one of the most common services offered by 'Get A Grip'. Such safety equipment helps prevent falls in the bathroom which are especially common. Other services include wheelchair ramps, motorized wheelchair lifts, stair lifts and even pool lifts. As a licensed contractor, Terrell is able to provide full remodeling services to make homes safer and more accessible. Door widening, 'roll In' showers, modified cabinetry and counters are common remodeling items. Terrell and Marva are fully licensed and insured and are members of the Better Business Bureau. Their website www.getagripfl.com features some of their most popular products and services.
'Get A Grip' began in Fort Myers approximately twelve years ago when Marva worked as a home health physical therapist. Oftentimes when patients needed safety equipment installed she would have Terrell do it since there was no one else providing that service at the time. Gradually, other therapists, home health agencies, hospitals and medical facilities began to refer business to them. They now have agreements with organizations such as Hope Life and the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program and are well respected in the medical community. Terrell and Marva still live in Fort Myers but provide service to Collier, Lee, Hendry, Charlotte and Sarasota counties. They regularly provide in-service presentations to medical facilities to educate staff members about available services and products. They also speak to support groups such as the Parkinson's Disease group and welcome such opportunities. If you would like to schedule such an event or simply request brochures or cards please call 239-482-2145 and ask for Marva.