Preventing Fall

Quick Facts
• The risk of falling increases with age and is greater for women than for men.
• Two-thirds of those who experience a fall will fall again within six months.
• A decrease in bone density contributes to falls and resultant injuries.
• Failure to exercise regularly results in poor muscle tone, decreased strength, and loss of bone mass
  and flexibility.
• At least one - third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home.

Five Key Risk Factors of Falls Among Older Adults
• Factor #1: Osteoporosis
• Factor #2: Lack of Physical Activity
• Factor #3: Impaired Vision
• Factor #4: Medications
• Factor #5: Environmental Hazards

Causes and Prevention The causes of falls are known as risk factors. Although no single risk factor causes all falls, the greater the number of risk factors to which an individual is exposed, the greater the probability of a fall and the more likely the results of the fall will threaten person's independence. Many of these risk factors are preventable. As obvious as it may sound, a lack of knowledge about risk factors and how to prevent them contributes to many falls. Some people believe that falls are a normal part of aging, and as such are not preventable. Lack of knowledge leads to lack of preventive action, resulting in falls.

Prevention Tips It is useful to conduct a walk-through of your home to identify possible problems that may lead to falling. A home visit by an interior designer or occupational therapist might also be useful in that they are trained to identify risk factors and recommend appropriate actions.

Outdoors: repair cracks and abrupt edges of sidewalks and driveways, install handrails on stairs and steps, remove high doorway thresholds trim shrubbery along the pathway to the home, keep walk areas clear of clutter, rocks and tools, keep walk areas clear of snow and ice, install adequate lighting by doorways and along walkways leading to doors.

All Living Spaces: use a change in color to denote changes in surface types or levels, secure rugs with nonskid tape as well as carpet edges, avoid throw rugs, remove oversize furniture and objects, have at least one phone extension in each level of the home and post emergency numbers at each phone, add electrical outlets, reduce clutter, check lighting for adequate illumination and glare control, maintain nightlights or motion-sensitive lighting throughout home, use contrast in paint, furniture and carpet colors, install electronic emergency response system if needed.

Please watch this video: Shannon Brady, PT, DPT explains how older adults can work with a physical therapist to improve their balance and prevent falls.

Reduction in Ability to Function

Reduction in Ability to Function

As people are getting older, they experience some functional limitations which can affect their independence and a loss of control over their lives. Functional limitations could be caused by: decreased vision or hearing, decreased mobility or illness, falls or injuries. Regular exercises will help to increase independence, improve mental health and quality of life, provide more energy, reduce stress, improve self esteem, and most importantly control weight and fight disease. Very simple physical activity such as walking, lifting weights and stretching can have a large impact on the quality of life. When choosing exercises, consider any physical limitations you have. And before you start any exercise program, check with your doctor. It is also important to talk to friends and family about participating in community activities together.

Recommend four types of exercises for older adult:

Strength exercises build older adult muscles and increase your metabolism, which helps to keep your weight and blood sugar in check.
Balance exercises build leg muscles, and this helps to prevent falls and stay independent.
Stretching exercises can give you more freedom of movement, which will allow you to be more active during your senior years.
Endurance exercises are any activity—walking, jogging, swimming, biking, even raking leaves—that increase your heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time. Build up your endurance gradually, starting with as little as 5 minutes of endurance activities at a time.

Please watch this video: VOA's Carol Pearson reports on efforts by one university to help older adults reap the benefits of exercise. Studies show that people are living longer and the population in much of the world is growing older. Other research shows physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. It also delays the onset of Alzheimer's.

Lack of Social Interactions Among Seniors



Lack of Social Interactions Among Seniors

Socialization is a huge part of human’s life; it brings purpose to our lives. As people get older,their interactions become more restrictive for a number of reasons. Some of them are: loss of a spouse or loved one, fewer social contacts, financial problems, loneliness, limited mobility/transportation problems, change in residences, health issues, physical problems, increased usage of medication and much more. All these factors can impact senior’s life in different ways and can lead to a decline in nutrition, increased  anxiety, and can even lead to depression or substance abuse.

How Caregiver Can Help A Client Stay Social:

• tell the client about supports, services, and available resources for seniors in the community, and   
  discuss situations and possible solutions together with appropriate people (i.e.care team,   
  family,and/or friends);
• encourage client’s participation in social activities and events;
• try to find access to transportation and arrange for client to be accompanied on first outing;
• attempt to make the client feel needed and valued;