We Can Prevent Falls by Older Adults

You might be surprised to learn that falls are THE leading cause of death among older adults. They also lead to long-term hospitalizations and placement in nursing homes. However, there are a number of steps that elders can take to reduce their risks of falls.

The statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are breath-taking:

"Unintentional falls are a threat to the lives, independence and health of adults ages 65 and older. Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency department for a fall, and every 35 minutes someone in this population dies as a result of their injuries. Although one in three older adults falls each year in the United States, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. There are proven strategies that can reduce falls and help older adults live better and longer."

Families and elders can take a variety of steps to prevent falls and injuries, including:

• Performing a home safety inspection


• Reviewing the mix of various medications


• Exercising and participating in balance training


• Checking vision and footwear

The CDC publishes a checklist of how to perform a home safety inspection. Many families are installing grab bars in bathrooms and showers, as well as discarding area rugs.

Even walking with a cane or walker can be dangerous. Elders and their families should review the equipment they are using with their doctor or an occupational therapist. Other families are helping their parents to review the shoes they are wearing. According to a recent Center for Disease Control study, more than 47,000 elderly Americans experience a walker- or cane-related fall each year. That is an average of 129 falls per day, according to a recent release from the CDC.

According to a recent post at Caring.com, an important step is to Improve Strength and Balance with Exercise.

“Exercise classes designed with the safety, confidence, and special needs of older adults are springing up at community centers, gyms, senior centers, and elsewhere across the country. No matter where you live, it shouldn't be hard to find a gentle movement, dance, or yoga class designed with older bodies in mind. For example, the Arthritis Foundation offers a variety of classes through local chapters. Another option becoming more and more popular is Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, that's now offered through many health centers such as Kaiser Permanente facilities. Several studies have shown that Tai Chi improves balance and reduces the risk and the fear of falling among older adults. In one study, people between the ages of 70 and 92 who took Tai Chi three times a week for six months had a 55 percent lower risk of falling than a comparable group who didn't take classes.”

Rebuilding Together and other organizations that provide home modifications are supporting national efforts to fund the Safety of Seniors Act and educational programs related to falls prevention for older adults.

Please post what you are doing to prevent falls and improve safety for yourself and your family members.

Supporting our Parents in the Community

Image via Wikipedia

Older adults want to live in the community, as close to friends and families, as long as possible.
Many companies and organizations are working together to support elders in maintaining their independence and active lifestyles in the community of their choice, often their homes of many years. As some elders become older and frailer, they need more support from friends and family to keep independent. Typical challenges include transportation, home repairs, companionship, and eventually, care with activities of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing, walking, etc.). Action In Maturity is a not-for-profit transportation provider in North Baltimore.

Local government agencies have a wealth of information for older adults and their families:

• Baltimore City – Commission on Aging and Retirement Education
• Department of Aging, Baltimore County
• Department of Aging, State of Maryland

In many cases, family members want to keep their loved one safe, which may mean a move out of their home. Here's an interesting blog shared by Sarah Mashburn at AAHSA.

Aging at Home… Is It Overrated? I know my 85-year-old Grandma would answer with a resounding “no!”, but there is an emerging consensus among experts that aging at home may not be the best option for every older adult.

I recently read a blog post by Corinne Reider, the executive director and treasurer at The John A. Hartford Foundation. The foundation’s whole mission is to improve health care for older Americans, and Corinne believes sometimes that means residential care options.
In her post, Corinne describes her experience caring for her parents. The couple has 17 chronic diseases between them, including blindness and Alzheimer’s disease. They refused to consider moving into a retirement community or assisted living. While they moved a few blocks from Corinne’s brother, the siblings struggle to deal with their mother’s falls and their father’s refusal to get out of bed.

Are you having conversations with your family members regarding their personal challenges and their wishes to remain at home?