Bright Solution to Seniors' Slips and Falls

The Department of Energy has come up with a bright solution to help the province's senior citizens cut down on energy costs and fall-related injuries.

The Department of Energy is donating 2,500 light emitting diode (LED) night lights to a Community Links program which promotes fall prevention awareness among senior citizens in Nova Scotia.

"Nova Scotians of all ages can benefit from the energy savings and increased home safety that LEDs provide," said Mr. Dooks.

The LEDs will be distributed to senior citizens at fall prevention information sessions provincewide which will be co-ordinated by Preventing Falls Together, a program which holds fall prevention seminars for seniors provincewide.

Preventing Falls Together co-ordinator Carol McAllister said the lights will help make seniors' homes more fall-proof which may reduce falls and the resulting personal and medical costs for both seniors and the health system.

"This initiative will allow us to co-ordinate our efforts to reduce energy consumption while protecting senior citizens," said Ms. McAllister.

In Nova Scotia, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for people over 65. LED night lights can help improve the safety of seniors' homes as they can be placed in areas such as hallways, bathrooms and stairways. In addition, LEDs use less than 13 cents in electricity over the course of a year and use 23 times less energy than regular, seven-watt night lights.

Preventing Falls Together is comprised of 13 community-based coalitions and is funded by the Department of Health Promotion and Protection.

More information on Preventing Falls Together and community workshops is available on the website at www.preventingfallstogether.ca .