Seniors
Are Falling and Can't Get Up
A
few years ago there was a commercial whose tag line proclaimed, “I’ve
fallen and can’t get up.” As we age, we are faced with a new series
of problems different than those faced in our youth, the most prevalent
of which is falling (sometimes fatally). Falls are becoming more and
more common with the senior population, averaging 1 out of every 3
persons over the age of 65 who live independently in their own home.
The
numbers increase to 1 out of every 2 for those over the age of 75.
The numbers become even more staggering - 70% of accidental deaths
in people over the age of 75 result from falls. We are faced with
an estimated $79 billion paid out in medical expenses each year as
a result of falls. Yet, with the increase in medical costs, we sit
and watch as our parents, grandparents, and friends suffer needlessly
with little to no intervention. Are there simple solutions to this
debilitating and paralyzing threat that plagues our senior population?
Or do we hope and pray that our loved ones will not be another statistic.
Falls
may be preventable. It takes a little work, a little planning, and
sometimes a little courage. Recently, the United States Congress addressed
these very issues by introducing The Elder Fall Prevention Act of
2002. This bill, if passed, will allow for public funds to be used
for the education of seniors in fall prevention, as well as fund the
research for services to be extended under Medicare/Medicaid. Until
this sweeping piece of legislation is passed, what other options do
seniors and their families have to deal with this concern? First,
they must understand who is at risk for a fall. Those who experience
any of the following physical or environmental factors may be at risk:
Four
or more medications
Loose
carpeting/throw rugs
Low blood pressure
Unstable chairs
Visual deficits
Poor lighting
Balance disorders
Stairs
Weakness/muscle tightness
Lack of bathroom equipment
Slowed reflexes
The
risk of a debilitating fall increases as the number of factors increases
in one’s life. There are also numerous reasons people fall, most of
which are genetically disposed:
65
years old or older
Thin
Early onset of menopause
Foot disorders
Poor oral hygiene (poor fitting dentures)
Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Family history of falls
Smoker
Fear of falling
There
are numerous other factors that may predicate a senior falling. If
you feel that you or a loved one is at risk, seek help immediately.
But where does one turn for help? We recommend starting with your
doctor or pharmacist. Take all of the medications currently prescribed
by all of your physicians, as well as any over the counter medication
you take regularly and putting them in a brown paper bag (in their
original bottles). Ask your healthcare professional if any of these
can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or balance problems when used with
any of the other medicines in your bag.
Second,
talk to your doctor if you recently have experienced hearing, visual,
or balance changes within the past 12 months. Have you fallen in the
past 12 months as well? Most people have difficulty discussing this
matter with their doctors, but this information is imperative if the
problem is to be corrected or avoided in the future. Ask your physician
if there is an appropriate exercise program that incorporates strengthening,
balance and endurance. This may call for a referral to a physical
therapist for a number of visits.
Third,
we must review the safety of our own homes. Are there throw rugs that
can cause tripping? Are there routine items on the floor or overhead
that may cause your center of balance to be shifted, causing a fall?
Do you have bathroom safety equipment, such as grab bars, skid strips
in the shower or tub, and a shower chair? Are your hallways and bedroom
well lit? Consider placing a night light in each of these areas to
illuminate walking paths.
Falls
can be prevented in most cases. Routine home safety checks, exercise,
and education do go a long way. According to the American Academy
of Orthopedic Surgeons, “She says she wants to keep living in her
home. We say it starts by keeping her on her feet.” There is no need
for a senior to live in fear, or to be displaced physically from their
life. We just have to help keep them standing.
Hearts
of Joy Senior Care, a member of The Senior’s Choice, provides an affordable,
non-medical, in-home companion care service for seniors, which enables
them to maintain their independence, as well as dignity and self-respect.
Marc and Susan speak around the valley on numerous topics regarding
senior care, with a primary focus on fall prevention and home safety.
Hearts of Joy Senior Care Inc. can be reached at (480) 948-4655.
Hearts
of Joy Senior Care, a member of The Senior’s Choice, provides an affordable,
non-medical, in-home companion care service for seniors, which enables
them to maintain their independence, as well as dignity and self-respect.
Marc and Susan speak around the valley on numerous topics regarding
senior care, with a primary focus on fall prevention and home safety.
Hearts of Joy Senior Care Inc. can be reached at (480) 948-4655.
