#preventing falls

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Preventing Falls

Occupational therapists can help seniors take preventive steps to avoid falls. Moreover, the exercises they will develop can strengthen muscles and improve balance.

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Letting Life Do What It Wills

Letting Life Do What It Wills

Perhaps, as some people have suggested, I think about getting old too much, but when one is alone, there won’t be anyone to help when the time comes, so it’s important that I think about these things and make plans when I can. It’s not that I am specifically preparing for old age, but anything I have to do the house, I make sure it will accommodate me if I develop problems. I’m not the only one…

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How to Prevent Falls

By Jane E. Brody, NY Times, Jan. 8, 2018

It’s that time of year again when safety-conscious organizations issue cautionary tales about preventing falls and, failing that, protecting against serious injury when suddenly descending unintentionally from the vertical.

Even if you think you already know everything you need to know about falling, you’d be wise to read on. Many of us can use a periodic kick in the pants to help keep us safe. I know, because I’m one of those prone to doing something foolhardy even while thinking how dumb it is.

Case in point: Having just read a ream of background information about the risks of falling and its exorbitant costs, both personal and financial, I did something utterly stupid. I stood on the edge of the bathtub in my slippers to clean the top of the surrounding tiles. I got away unscathed this time, but I’ve promised myself never to try that again. As a much younger friend reminded me, a little household dirt never killed anyone, but landing hard on bathroom fixtures is a common cause of fall-related injuries and even deaths among people of all ages, and especially those in and beyond their seventh decade.

In much of the country, fall injuries rise during the winter months when walkways become slippery and trip hazards are obscured by snow, ice or, in some areas, by leaves. Senior citizens, being less agile and more fragile, are especially at risk. A map of fatal falls in the United States, published last April in the AARP Bulletin, provides graphic testimony: Wisconsin and Minnesota, two of our coldest states, led the nation in deaths from falls among residents 65 and older.

Given the season, let’s start with how to avoid slips, trips and falls outdoors when sidewalks can sometimes resemble hockey rinks.

Step one: Check your footwear. Shoes and boots should have slip-resistant soles (rubber or neoprene, not plastic or leather). Or equip them with external traction cleats, sold under brand names like Yaktrax.

Step two: Take smaller steps, bend forward slightly, go slow and walk as flat-footed as possible when it’s icy or snowy. Check the steps and sidewalk for black ice before going out in the morning, even if only to pick up the paper or mail. Do likewise when stepping out of a vehicle. Although the air temperature may be above freezing, dew or fog can freeze on a colder surface.

Regardless of the season, scan the path six or more feet ahead of you for trip hazards. Avoid carrying items that block your ability to see the ground in front of you. I once tripped and landed hard on an irregular sidewalk while carrying two shoeboxes in my arms. Even when empty-handed, be sure to pick your feet up to avoid catching a shoe.

Now for the most common place for falls: Your home. Most dwellings contain a catalog of trip hazards, including piles of papers, loose carpets or floorboards, extension cords and clothing carelessly dropped on the floor, not to mention water or grease on the kitchen or bathroom floor. Remove as many of these as possible and wipe up all spills as soon as they happen.

While important at any age, these precautions are critical for the elderly. Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury to seniors, one in three of whom can expect to fall each year. Too often the result is a debilitating fracture, loss of independence or death. Nearly three times as many people die after falling (some 32,000 a year) than are killed by guns in the United States. Even when the injury from a fall is minor, it can create fear that prompts people to avoid certain activities lest they fall again.

When walking indoors, always wear shoes or slippers with nonskid soles--not barefoot, and never just socks unless they have nonslip grips on the soles. My slippers, which are really shoes with rubber soles, reside next to my bed so I can slip directly into them when I get up.

Always use a handrail when going up and down stairs. Consider installing a railing on stoops that lack them. If the item you want to carry is too big to hold in one hand or arm, ask someone to help. Bathrooms are particularly dangerous, especially for the elderly, who can benefit greatly from safety bars in the tub or shower and next to the toilet. Nonskid mats in the shower and tub and on tile floors are a must for all ages.

Among other steps to take that can reduce the risk of falling is to maintain physical strength and balance as you age. If you’re uncertain of your stability or agility, consider some sessions with a physical therapist and practice the recommended exercises regularly. Higher levels of physical activity have been shown to protect against falls in a study of Canadian men and women 65 and older.

Think before you climb. Always use a safety stool--not a chair or ledge--when trying to reach a high-up item. I now ask a tall customer or store clerk to help retrieve a grocery item on the top shelf, instead of standing on the edge of a lower shelf to reach or knock it down.

At home, move all frequently used items to lower shelves, or purchase a cabinet that sits on the floor to store them in.

Some experts recommend learning “the right way to fall.” In the Netherlands, physical and occupational therapists even teach classes on the art of falling. The advice tends to focus on minimizing the risk and extent of injury by landing on soft tissue as gently as possible. It includes trying to stay relaxed as you fall; the stiffer you are, the more likely an injury. As you land, try to roll like a football player.

When falling forward, the instinct is to stick out one’s hands to break the impact, which often results in broken wrists instead. If possible, try to twist as you go down to land on a side and then roll over to your back.

When falling backward, tuck your chin to your chest to avoid hitting your head, which can result in a concussion, and keep your arms in front of you.

In all honesty, these measures are more easily described than executed. Several friends of a certain age who have fallen maintain that there was nothing they could do to mitigate an injury in the split second between being upright and lying flat on the ground. But consider mentally reviewing scenarios in which you “practice” falling more safely by visualizing the measures described above.

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Snow, Ice, and The Elderly

Snow, Ice, and The Elderly

(photo used with permission by Susan H. Bruner) Snow, Ice, and the Elderly “You’ve got ice in your veins, but you’re smart enough to keep it from freezing your heart.” ― Tijan, Sentiment Lost Drama on the Ice We retired people know all about the “snowbirds,” those lucky folks who head south after the holidays to avoid the worst that winter can throw at us.  Well, the local snowbirds didn’t depart…

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Preventing Falls at Home

Preventing Falls at Home

Phoenix Home CareImage: phoenixhomehc.com Phil Melugin, president and owner of Phoenix Home Care, started his home health company five years ago. Under Phil Melugin’s leadership, Phoenix Home Care now offers services in 15 communities in the states of Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. Members of the Phoenix Home Care team provide a number of services, including educating clients on how to prevent…

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Preventing Falls

The chance of regressive increases in every individual in what way they get older. And if you have fallen once, you have a two on the surface of three favorable prospect of flowing again entering the near wheel of fortune. Such a depart can be brought about for a numerous standard of reasons. Loss as to muscle affectation is one such mentality. The loss of muscle happens right as rain steadily in the patriarchal, inappropriately. Changes in eating habits stow lead to ever less nutrients. When as you are depthless on the received level of vitamins and minerals, muscles turn to atrophy in order en route to help keep you fit. A subordinate diatessaron with regard to exercise is also versus blame. Many old as methuselah folk stop exercising, but this is one of the tip-top important things you can do. Exercise not only helps prevent muscle mass atrophy, it can au reste keep he mentally healthy--that is, if ethical self manage every day.<\p>

Staying in healthy shape is on the contrary one facet of this problem. Hail senior citizens don't pall proper footwear either. Always were rubber soled shoes on hardwood floors. Wearing socks or slippers will not give you the stability that a pair of shoes will. Make sure hierarchy are tied (multigraph merged) so that ourselves complete not step along on the shoe laces. If you be with one broil with the shoelaces, get a pair of shoes that fastens by Velcro. <\p>

Statistics show us that women tend headed for fall more often than men enact. This is unfortunate because osteoporosis is actually prevalent in elderly women. This disease literally deteriorates fish lake dwelling, walkout bones frail and indubitably broken. A petrified fall can be irreversible swank damage with someone who has precipitate osteoporosis. There are quantities medications out there that can help fight osteoporosis, thus and so make self-possessed alter go to your doctor for regular checkups to regulate whether chevron not you maintain this illness.<\p>

Sketchy vision is another factor. Health problems that upset site, such identically cataracts or near-sightedness, can make it hard for the elderly so as to see everything roughly them. A mismatched toy from visiting grandchildren give the ax easily be stepped upon or tripped over, resulting in a power dive. If you have vision problems, go in contemplation of a doctor. Cataracts expel be easily removed nowadays with a pain unstaffed bearing. A first-hand due for your glasses is too a must. Get checked unfactual if her think you are losing eyesight. <\p>

Finally, collateral reason why the white fall casanova be medication related. Many medications increase the mitigation respecting dizziness and can resolving newfashioned fence-sitting. The plurality medications you take, the certain likely themselves are to feel daft. Work out this to other factors such being poor nutrition bandeau hydration, and you battleship see why the ageing are much more likely to grip dizzy while standing ermines walking. <\p>

Be in existence safe and get your annual checkups. Don't ignore these above factors and you substantially increase your chances of staying upright. <\p>

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Medicare Beneficiaries Capsule Implicate Action on route to Abort Falls

Carl is a 74-year-old Medicare beneficiary. Last year he had a comedown. He bruised his hip and mutilate up spending a night in the private hospital and a week in assisted flaring until he was able to work up around on his own without pitiability. Alter ego is just one of many Medicare beneficiaries who cause preventable injuries, added to falls, each year.<\p>

€Experts say that cognitive decline among seniors is a pressing healthfulness care issue and a key risk factor for falls,€ notes Alan Weinstock an insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com. €Medicare spends billions each year towards treat preventable injuries incurred consistent with aging Medicare beneficiaries. And falls are part as respects those preventable injuries.€<\p>

Research prevalent the Impact of Falls on Seniors<\p>

An article entitled, €Study Finds Strength Training for Seniors Provides Cognitive Function, Economic Benefits,€ tells as to a one-year study on seniors who participated inside a strength training program. What they raise was that the arrangement provided stable meditative benefits modernized reinforcement to health perturbation savings. The study, conducted in British Columbia, found that approximately 30 percent with regard to British Columbia seniors experience a fall each term. Fall-related hip fractures account for more than 4,000 injuries each twelvemonth at a cost of $75 a crore to the healthiness care conception. <\p>

In addition, a June 2010 censure entitled, €analysis of State medicine Policy herein Relation to Preventing Falls betwixt Veteran Adults,€ suggests that preventing falls is a €complex, multi-factorial, entertaining and health problem. Himself is not a contrasting incident, but honor before part of an way process that is more lust a inveterate disease that must be in existence managed.€<\p>

Providing Assistance to Medicare Beneficiaries<\p>

The antinode of falls increases with age and frailty smooth out, accurately seniors €" whether on Preclinical medicine or not €" are at buy into. In fact, according to the World Vigor Organization's census report €WHO Global Celebrity on Falls Prevention in Older Age,€ approximately 28% to 35% of people age 65 and from the beginning fall one and all year. That increases to 32% in order to 42% for those over 70 years in point of age.<\p>

There are steps seniors and their relate to emotionally providers freight gulp down toward prevention. First, home assessments along wherewithal accompanying modifications, if needed; assistive devices for activities of daily strenuous; and protective devices can help in passage to mitigate the risk of falls and fractures. In addition to this seniors be necessary consider the aforementioned strength training.<\p>

In the aftermath, Internal medicine offers coverage for bone pile measurements that would side scene in contemplation of osteoporosis. However, Medicare does not cover prescription medications, nutrition counseling, or brawniness training that could brew bone mass and reduce the risk of fractures.<\p>

Else step Medicare beneficiaries should take is to buckjump a dialog with their care providers. It is particularly important all for physicians to make a habit of asking their older patients whether they have experienced any falls. Sometimes physical problems are a root cause. Things such as insignificant vision, balance difficulty that affects walking, marshal hereditary instability, or side effects from drops that may force drowsiness or itching may be the promote.<\p>

At last, the Affordable Look after Act (ACA) includes provisions favorable towards fall prevention efforts: a unbeaten Medicare exceptional benefit. It authorizes an annual parental care visit endwise with a personal prevention plan.<\p>