Tuula Koponen, an 83-year-old woman from Turku, has taken a course to learn how to safely get up from the floor after a fall, as falls are a leading cause of mortality among older adults in Finland.
Tuula Koponen, an 83-year-old resident of Turku, has firsthand experience with the dangers of falling, having broken her ankle in a fall that left her unable to get up without assistance. Motivated by her fear of falling again, she enrolled in a course specifically designed for seniors to practice getting back up off the floor. Through this course, Koponen has gained a renewed sense of confidence in her physical abilities, allowing her to trust in her body and manage her artificial knee, despite some discomfort.
Each year, over 1,300 people in Finland lose their lives due to falls, with about half of these incidents occurring in their own homes. Researchers and experts are alarmed by these statistics, noting that a significant number of these fatal falls may be due to individuals being unable to signal for help after falling. Julia Ben Khalifa from the UKK Institute emphasizes the importance of the ability to get back on one’s feet after a fall, suggesting that acquiring this skill could potentially save lives and enhance the safety of elderly individuals living alone.
This issue of fall-related injuries among the elderly is increasingly critical as the population ages, highlighting the need for more targeted programs and support systems to ensure that older adults can maintain their independence and safety in their own homes. Initiatives like Koponen's course could serve as vital steps towards addressing this urgent public health concern and reducing the incidence of fall-related deaths among older Finns.
