Caregiving
For older adults, falls pose a significant health concern, and often lead to lost independence, severe injuries, and even fatality. Falls have profound impacts on older adults’ caregivers also. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older adults falls each year, resulting in more than 3 million emergency room visits, 800,000 hospitalizations, and 28,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone! Older adults are at increased fall risk because of: • Age-related Changes: Muscle strength, balance, and vision may decline with age • Medications: Many medications (especially those affecting blood pressure and balance) can cause drowsiness or dizziness • Chronic Conditions: Arthritis, osteoporosis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes can negatively affect both mobility and stability • Tripping Hazards: Poor lighting, slippery floors, throw rugs, unsecured cords, and cluttered spaces can lead to slips, trips, and falls But many falls are preventable when older adults and their caregivers implement simple safety and fall prevention strategies including: • Exercise: Getting regular physical activity that includes strength and balance exercises improves muscle tone, flexibility, and coordination • Medication Management: Reviewing medications with healthcare providers to identify drug interactions, optimal doses, and timing of medications significantly reduces fall risk • Vision and Hearing Checks: Wearing corrective lenses and hearing aids improves sensory perception and environmental awareness • Footwear: Donning properly fitting, supportive shoes with non-skid soles helps people with sure-footedness • Home Safety Modifications: o Installing grab bars in bathrooms and stairways o Removing throw rugs, or secure them (and cords) with double-sided tape o Improving lighting, especially in hallways and staircases The Value of Falls Prevention for Older Adults and Their Caregivers By Deb Seng, Caregiving and Community Initiatives Director
Many older adults rely on family, or informal caregivers for regular support and assistance with the activities of daily living. This means caregivers are well-positioned to champion falls prevention with their loved one, and can help in the following ways: • Exercise: Encourage and participate with your care recipient in physical activities and prescribed exercises • Medication Management: Ensure your loved one’s medications are taken as prescribed, and monitor for risky side effects • Observation: Be mindful about changes in your person’s wellbeing including declines in vision, hearing, mobility, and stability • Home Safety: Collaborate with your loved one to identify and eliminate potential hazards in the home Far too often, older adults who fall succumb to complications from their injuries—increased dependency on others, reduced mobility, pneumonia, blood clots, and death. In fact, studies consistently show that older adults who experience a hip fracture are significantly more likely to die within a year than their peers who do not break their hips. Implementing these simple falls prevention strategies promotes independence and improves life quality for older adults and their caregivers. Equipped with knowledge, caregivers play an integral role in creating safe environments and preserving independence for the older adults they love. To learn more about preserving your loved one’s dignity and safeguarding their wellbeing, contact our Helpline at (520) 790-7262 and ask for the Family Caregiver Support Program .
September/October 2024, Never Too Late | Page 19
Pima Council on Aging
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