What’s next when you or someone you love is recovering from a fall?
A fall can be a one-time occurrence with little impact on one’s day-to-day life. If a fall is bad enough, it can result in broken bones, hospitalizations, and having to re-learn how to do things you used to do with ease before. Unfortunately, for over 800,000 people in the US, a fall results in hospitalization. While falls don’t just affect aging adults, their age group is at greater risk than others. And the stakes are higher.
Every 20 seconds, an older adult dies because of a fall.
Seniors being at higher risk for falls is due to some conditions that typically occur in aging adults:
- Lower body weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Vision issues
- Leg and foot pain
- Medication mismanagement
- Poor or painful footwear
These issues don’t guarantee that a person will fall, but they certainly up the risk. And one fall might not seem like such a big deal, but the fact is that half of all seniors who suffer one fall will fall again. When cognitive issues are present, the risk of reoccurrence doubles and, in some cases, triples. If a fall results in hospitalization, seniors, in particular, are at four times the risk of falling again in the first two weeks they are back home.
You can address some things with your family and healthcare team if you feel that you may be at risk for a fall.
For example, if you have difficulty keeping track of your medications, have a family member help, or reach out to an agency that can organize your prescriptions for you. If you’re taking any medicine that makes you feel tired or dizzy, discuss this with your doctor to see if there is another option. As well, speak with your doctor if you’re experiencing chronic pain or vision issues. Stay as active as possible to keep yourself physically healthy. In your home, take a look around. Are there items in your house that are easy to trip over that you can re-arrange?
If someone you love has suffered a fall, it can be overwhelming to worry about their risk of falling again. If you’ve suffered a fall yourself, it’s easy to want to get back to a “normal” life afterward. There are resources to help you get there. A Place At Home has a Fall Recovery and Prevention CARE Program to help those recovering from a fall do so safely in their own home. Enrollment in this program includes:
- A personal care plan and fall risk assessments to address your individual care needs.
- Active and ongoing communication with all other members of your health care team.
- A Fall Recovery CARE certified care team who is specifically trained to address your needs.
- Change in Condition tracking ensures that any changes in condition are documented and addressed as they happen to prevent further risk or injury.
Having a fall can be scary and frustrating, whether the fall is yours or your loved one’s. Having a team of professionals in your home supporting you can help you make huge strides in your recovery and quality of life. Reach out to us today to learn more about our Fall Recovery and Prevention CARE Program or to schedule a cost-free consultation.
