Why Do Seniors Fall?

One third of elderly people living in the community fall each year, making falls the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma in this population. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and the 7^th leading cause of death in people over 65 in the United States.

Falls are predictable and can be preventable

The greatest predictors of falls are:

·                     Muscle weakness

·                     Unsteady gait & balance deficits

·                     Environmental hazards in the home

The following chart details the most common reasons that seniors fall & what home health can do to help. 

Functional Impairment	Home Health Solution
Blood Pressure Abnormalities	·         Skilled Nursing to monitor medication changes, vital signs and response to medications.
Executive Failure	·         Skilled Nursing to assess patient’s ability to adhere to plan of care.
Gait Irregularities	·         Physical Therapy for assessment, gait training, muscle strengthening, balance activities and home exercise instruction. ·         Occupational Therapy for home safety evaluation and teaching compensatory techniques for effective participation in ADLs.
Neuromotor Deficits	·         Skilled Nursing for neuro assessment and treatment. ·         Physical Therapy for strengthening and balance activities, and proprioception training. ·         Occupational Therapy for home safety evaluation and teaching compensatory techniques for effective participation in ADLs.
Postural Deviations	·         Physical Therapy for postural awareness activities.
Vestibular Dysfunction	·         Physical Therapy for balance training.
Vision	·         In conjunction with Skilled Nursing or Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy visits for home safety evaluation and low vision training.

What if My Loved One Has a Fall?

The “slip and fall” is common this time of year and can cause serious health problems for seniors, especially if they live alone. Time and time again Millcreek’s nurses and therapists see patients who experience a fall that precipitates major health problems. There are several ways to prevent falls, including physical & occupational therapy, but it is also important to know what to do after a fall occurs.

If your loved one falls:

1.  Do not make them get up immediately. Help them calm down and reassure them that you will help them.

2.  If they cannot get up, call for help and provide first aid. Make sure that they are in a comfortable position and that they are warm enough. 

3.  If they can get up, proceed with care and gently help them to a seated position.

4.  Once they are up and seated somewhere safe and comfortable, check for injuries. Be especially mindful of potential hip injuries, bruising and cuts, which are common when a senior falls.

5.  Call their primary care physician and let them know about the fall and any injuries or discomfort.

A past fall is the highest indicator for future falls, so be sure to minimize risks to fall by clearing walkways of clutter, throw rugs and cords to trip over. Keep seniors homes well lit and be sure to shovel and de-ice walkways. Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy can prevent falls and should be considered when a senior has a fall. Therapy will address the strength and balance issues that cause falls and will provide solutions, customized to meet individual needs.  

If a senior has a fall, there are many resources, often free of charge, to help promote their safety. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is always available to answer questions and supply referrals to community resources.

Employee Spotlight: Eric Dalling, Occupational Therapist

One of the things that sets Millcreek apart from other home health agencies is that instead of using contract occupational therapists, we employee one full-time staff occupational therapist, Eric Dalling. This means that you, or your loved one, receive consistent care that meets Millcreek’s high standards. It also means that our nurses and physical therapists maintain on-going communication with our occupational therapist, with the goal of high quality care that helps patients meet their full rehab potential

Eric Dalling has worked in health care since 1994 and has over ten years experience as an Occupational Therapist. He has worked with patients in both rehab facilities and home care environments to successfully improve their comfort and safety as they perform activities of daily living.  Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Utah and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Arizona School of Health Sciences.

If you have any questions about how occupational therapy benefits senior, read our article in the education section of millcreekhomehealth.com

Preventing Falls

Falls pose a risk for seniors living at home and living in assisted living communities. Often a fall precipitates decline and causes a number of health issues. The good news is that falls are preventable!

The number one indicator of future falls is a past fall or near fall!

When a senior experiences a fall, they should call their primary care physician to rule out any serious injury and determine a cause for the fall. Seniors should pay close attention to the following risk factors and consult with their primary care physician if they have any of the following:

• They feel dizzy or lightheaded
• They have increased weakness
• They feel unsteady on their feet
• They have recently changed their medication regime
• They have recently had a major health event like a stroke, significant vision change or a surgery

All of these factors contribute to seniors' likelihood of falling and can be addressed through physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing under the direction of a doctor. In addition to therapy and nursing care, seniors can take some basic precautions to prevent falling in their homes.

• Take medications on time and as directed by their doctor
• Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water
• Make sure their home is free of obstacles that they may trip over
• Keep their homes well lit and use a nightlight
• Stay active and do exercises that increase endurance and build strength in the trunk and legs.

With any questions about how to prevent falls in your home, or your family member's home, go to www.millcreekhomehealth.com and click "Ask an Expert."

What Does a Hospice Nurse Do?

A hospice nurse works as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides palliative, or comfort care, to patients during the last phase of their life.  The hospice nurse coordinates the care team and provides direct care and support for patients and their families.

Assessment & Treatment

When a patient and their family makes the decision to receive hospice care, a hospice nurse will assess the patient’s medical condition, equipment needs and psycho-social factors like the home environment and family dynamics.  The hospice nurse will begin family and caregiver will begin on-going education about the natural disease process. A hospice nurse can visit a patient as frequently or infrequently as is medically appropriate, with visits increasing as the patient declines.

After a patient is admitted, the hospice nurse will begin care, following the hospice physician’s plan of care.  A large part of a hospice nurse’s duties is to administer medications that make the patient comfortable. They also treat wounds, prevent skin breakdown and monitor the patient’s natural disease process-all with the goal of maintaining the patient’s dignity and comfort level.

Coordination of Care

The hospice nurse ensures that the patient’s spiritual and psychosocial needs are met by coordinating the services of a Chaplain or Medical Social Worker. Hospice Aides are also used to provide personal care and assistance with activities of daily living. The hospice nurse may also add massage therapy or physical therapy if they provide comfort and pain relief to the patient.