Comments on: Fear of Falling and Fall Prevention Programs

By: Synergyhomecare Greenwich

Synergyhomecare Greenwich — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 11:07:00 +0000

How surprised would you be to hear that there’s an epidemic among the elderly that is the number one cause of injury and injury related death that could easily be put in check? According to the CDC, “about 1.8 million people 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries from falls”, “more than 433,000 were hospitalized”, “15,800 died from injuries related to unintentional falls” and these numbers are for 2005. The CDC estimates the annual cost of fall related injuries will reach $54.9 billion by 2020.

At Synergy HomeCare of Connecticut, we have made it our responsibility to bring this issue to light and address it by offering education, support and preventative measures to minimize falls. The regularity and severity of elderly falls are especially unfortunate when one considers the inexpensive, common sense measures that can be taken to prevent many fall related injuries. There are many obstacles facing the elderly and their families, the fear of falling should not be one of them.

As you age, falling becomes a more serious problem with increasingly poor outcomes, but falls should not be seen as an issue that only the elderly have to deal with. Fall prevention should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle; the habits you develop now will reduce the dangers of falling as you age. There are a number of preemptive measures you can take to reduce your current and future risk from falls.

For example, regular exercise, a balanced diet, frequent medical and vision check-ups and sensible footwear are all vital elements of fall prevention. Healthy habits today lead to a more fulfilling, safer tomorrow, and we strongly believe it’s never too early to start!

If you or a loved on live in Greenwich, Riverside, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien or Norwalk Connecticut, Please call us for a free in-home safety and fall prevention assessment. You can call us 24/7 @ (203) 661-6969.

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:05:16 +0000

Thanks for your prompt reply Ryan.

By: Ryan @ SmartBug Media

Ryan @ SmartBug Media — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:59:24 +0000

My mom had a great therapist that worked with her on it. You might check to see if her primary care doc can recommend some physical therapy for her. They can come to your home. My mom had a similar fear of falling because she was dropped once, and she has worked through that and walks pretty well with a walker now.

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:19:30 +0000

Thanks for your interesting article. I would be grateful for any advice you or your contributors can give on a relative whose fear of falling due to being dropped accidentally by her care workers when being helped to walk after recovering from a diabetic coma has resulted in her refusing to walk at all. Her health has always been poor. Yet she is only in her fifties and is practically bedridden for the last six months. She seems to have settled into a new way of life in the nursing home and cant do anything for herself. Her family seem to be more concerned about her quality of life than she is. How do we reach her? Are there any exercises which she could do in bed which could help strengthen her and maybe boost her energy and confidence?

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 23:23:18 +0000

Who has a program that teaches rising from a fall? We need several different modalities to include the obese person, the limited range of motion person, specifically shoulder articulation, and knee challenges, the obese person with limited ROM.

By: Nona91

Nona91 — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:45:34 +0000

In the words of George Bernard Shaw: “We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing”.

PLAY ON, MY FRIEND!!

By: My Ears

My Ears — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:39:18 +0000

For the elderly who fall and are unable to get up on their own, the period of time spent immobile often affects their health outcome. Muscle cell breakdown starts to occur within 30-60 minutes of compression due to falling. Dehydration, pressure sores, hypothermia, and pneumonia are other complications that may result.

Make sure you have a plan for when accidents do occur in the home. Personal Emergency Response Systems work great for the independent seniors living on their own. Check out www.myears.com

By: Ryan @ SmartBug Media

Ryan @ SmartBug Media — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 04:19:50 +0000

@FRE –

Not all, the point is that some people have a real risk of falling and these types of programs can help prevent falls from occurring. When people feel more comfortable about their balance, they have less fear.

By: FRE

FRE — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:35:48 +0000

I am a 72 year olde man.

This morning before breakfast, I rode my bicycle 30 miles. I've ridden up to 50 miles before breakfast. Does the risk of falling mean that I should stop riding a bicycle?

I also ride a motorcycle. Last year, I took a 5,500 mile trip on it. Must I also stop riding a motorcycle?

I also hike in the mountains on very difficult terrain. Should I stop?

Must I give up things I enjoy doing to reduce my risk of falling?

By: Caring for Aging Parents

Caring for Aging Parents — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:42:35 +0000

Great resources. Our community rehabilitation program runs a falls prevention/agility class for seniors. One of the benefits - aside from improved mobility - is a reduction in fear of falling. Much of my work is focused on falls prevention for seniors in the community and it is a serious, costly issue. Anything that can improve mobility, reduce falls risk and decrease fear of falling is great!

http://www.caring-for-aging-parents.com