THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 Page 17 COVID | FROM Page 13 other languages common to these communities. The campaign includes: • A new online resource at Mass.gov/StopCOVID19 (Spanish: Mass.Gov/DetenCOVID19) (Portuguese: Mass.Gov/ PareCOVID19) (Additional multilingual online resources will be available soon) • Advertising on billboards, digital and social media • Downloadable materials in multiple languages • Multi-lingual fi eld teams deployed in the communities • Phone and text communications • Outreach to local community groups This new website Mass. gov/StopCOVID19 provides residents and local business owners with information on how to stop the spread, state restrictions on gathering sizes, testing locations and materials that can be printed for display in apartment complexes, restaurants and community areas. The campaign’s advertising will run on hundreds of displays, message boards, signs, billboards and other channels in these top 5 communities through paid partnerships and via state-owned resources, such as at MBTA stations, on MassDOT signs and much more. During Labor Day weekend, the fi eld teams will be active at approximately 15 locations in these top fi ve communities. All aspects of this campaign will expand throughout the fall. In early August, the Administration established CEIT through the COVID-19 Command Center. CEIT is a crossagency response unit, which includes representatives from the Community Tracing Collaborative, Department of Public Health, Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, Massachusetts State Police, Department of Labor Standards and other agencies. Since it was launched, this team has worked closely with all higher-risk communities to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in areas that are persistently above the state average. CEIT partnered with local elected and community offi cials, including municipal leadership, police chiefs and local health departments, to assess trends and most eff ectively utilize resources. Collectively, these teams have enforced gathering size restrictions and shared with municipalities additional state support, such as testing and contact tracing information. In recent weeks, the statewide average daily incidence rate is 4.2 cases per 100,000 people, while Chelsea is 29.4, Revere is 20.9, Lynn is 12.1, Everett is 15.9 and Lawrence is 14.9. As new community data is reported, CEIT will adjust as cities and towns move into or out of higher-risk categories. Throughout September, the campaign will expand beyond the top fi ve communities. How to Prevent Falls During a Pandemic Dear Savvy Senior, My 80-year-old mother, who lives alone and is self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic, has fallen several times. Are there any extra precautions you recommend that can help prevent this? Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, Falls are a common concern for many elderly adults and their families, especially during the coronavirus pandemic when many seniors are sheltering at home alone. Each year, more than one-infour older Americans fall, making it the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for those ages 65 and older. But many falls can be prevented. Depending on what’s causing your mom to fall, here are some diff erent tips that can help prevent it. Encourage exercise: Weak leg muscles and poor balance are two of the biggest risk factors that cause seniors to fall. Walking, strength training and tai chi are all good for improving balance and strength, as are a number of balance exercises your mom can do anytime like standing on one foot for 30 seconds then switching to the other foot, and walking heelto-toe across the room. For additional balance and leg strengthening exercises, see AgeBold.com. Review her medications: Does Space for Lease 3 Large Rooms, each with Large Walk-in Storage Area. or Aerobics Studio. Located at Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza, Route 1 South, 425 Broadway, Saugus. Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507 your mom take any medicine, or combination of medicines, that make her dizzy, sleepy or lightheaded? If so, make a list or gather up all the drugs she takes – prescriptions and over the counter – and contact her doctor or pharmacist for a drug review and adjustment. Get a vision test: Poor vision can be another contributor to falls, so your mom should get her eyes checked once a year and be sure to update her eyeglasses if needed. Also be aware that if your mom wears bifocal or progressive lenses, they too can cause falls, especially when walking outside or going down steps. These lenses can aff ect depth perception, so she may want to get a pair of glasses with only her distance prescription for outdoor activities. If your mom is concerned about a trip into her eye doctor during the pandemic, she can get her vision tested online. Put a call her eye doctor about this option, or consider some online vision testing sites like Essilor.com or 6over6.com. And to buy eyeglasses online, some popular options include WarbyParker.com and ZenniOptical.com. Fall-proof her home: There are a number of simple household modifi cations you can do to make your mom’s living area safer. Start by helping her arrange or move the furniture so there are clear pathways to walk through and pick up items on the fl oor that could cause her to trip like newspapers, shoes, clothes, electrical or phone cords. If she has throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them. In the bathroom buy some non-skid rugs for the fl oors and a rubber suction-grip mat or adhesive non-skid tape for the fl oor of the tub or shower, and have a carpenter install grab bars in and around the tub/shower for support. Also, make sure the lighting throughout the house is good, purchase some inexpensive plugin nightlights for the bathrooms and hallways, and if she has stairs, put handrails on both sides. For more tips, see the NIA “fallproofi ng your home” web page at NIA.NIH.gov/health/fall-proofing-your-home. Choose safe footwear: Going barefoot or wearing slippers or socks at home can also cause falls, as can wearing backless shoes, high heels, and shoes with smooth leather soles. The safest option for your mom is rubbersole, low-heel shoes. Purchase some helpful aids: If your mom needs some additional help getting around, get her a cane or walker. Also, to help ensure your mom’s safety, and provide you some peace of mind, consider getting her a medical alert device that comes with a wearable emergency button that would allow her to call for help if she were to fall or need assistance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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