Having a developmental disability might put a person at greater risk for falling if they have a vision impairment, muscle weakness, gait and balance difficulties, use multiple medications, or have a sedentary lifestyle.
Category Archives: Health and Safety Alerts
Staying Safe during Winter Weather
Providers of people with disabilities need to follow winter safety precautions to ensure people can manage seasonal challenges, such as travel and dangerous temperatures. Read more
Preventing Flu and Pneumonia
Seasonal influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral illness that causes fever, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, and headaches. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness.
Ohioans with developmental disabilities may be at high risk for the flu due to chronic lung conditions like asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Risk of aspiration may be increased due to difficulty swallowing, gastro esophageal reflux disease, seizure disorder, tube feeding, cerebral palsy, and suppressed or absent cough or sneeze reflex. Read More
Suicide Prevention
People with developmental disabilities are at a higher risk for suicide because of different risk factors, including co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can save lives. Read more
