Self aid rules to help you stay independent
3 Feb 2025
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“Please put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others.”
This often-heard phrase reminds us about the vital importance of self-care – or another way of putting it – self-aid. Simply put, if you don’t look after yourself first, you will not be able to help yourself or others.
During my years of experience in the aged care fields, I hold fast to three practical general self-aid rules:
- Remain socially active
- Remain physically active
- Don’t fall over.
This last rule may seem a bit silly, but it really is important. The fact is falls are the number one cause of accidental injury and death in older Australians. Statistically 1 in 4 people who are aged 65 and over have at least one fall per year (I had mine in December 2024 and thankfully it was minor). The home was the most commonly recorded place of injury. Making your home and surroundings as safe as possible is another important thing that can be done to reduce the likelihood of a fall. Making these areas safer not
only reduces the number of falls and accidents but can make it easier for you to manage your daily activities as you get older.
60% of falls happen in and around the home. Some of the problem lies with us, and some with our houses and gardens.
• As we get older our abilities change, increasing the chances of us slipping and tripping.
• And our homes age too, through general ‘wear and tear’ or lack of maintenance, making them less safe. Often we don’t notice this because we have lived there for many years without any problems. It is important to check your surroundings and take steps to make them safer.
More information
For more detailed information, visit the COTA NT web page on Falls Prevention.
It offers access to excellent resources including:
• Don’t Fall for It Booklet
• Strong and Steady factsheets.
• Stay On Your Feet®
• COTA NT Fit for Life This program offers classes which help older people be active, stay strong.
First published in Seniors Voice Jan-March 2025, Janet Brown, Aged Care Navigator