Fall Prevention

Iris L.

It's Fall, and this is the time to review fall prevention tactics. This is valuable for all older adults, not just PWDs. Some hospitals or senior centers offer free or low cost balance evaluations and/or balance exercises. There are many sites on the internet to review fall prevention. A somber note: forty percent of hip fractures in hospitalized older adults result in fatality due to complications.

Iris

calmmorn

Thank you for the reminder, Iris. It is always in the back of my mind but I need to learn more.

SDianeL

Thank you for this reminder! My husband's diagnosis was recently changed to ALZ-Posterior Cortical Atrophy which affects his visual perception and could affect his balance. I'm going to double check everything based on his new diagnosis.

harshedbuzz

So true @Iris L. Thanks for the reminder.

My mom's been having <more> falls. FTR, she does not have dementia. Despite her many health issues, I feel like this is how she will die. Her older sister with VD had a hip and wrist fracture which accelerated her into late stages and death in under 6 months.

I asked her PCP for a referral to PT for balance issues. He also convinced her to restart Fosamax where I'd been unsuccessful.

It's been a bit of a dog'n'pony show-- a 6-week wait to get an evaluation, then mom fractured her wrist in a fall the night before and needed 2 weeks off and a doctor's note, then 2 weeks after that, she had to step out for another 2 weeks for the first of 2 skin cancer procedures. But even with all that, I am seeing huge improvement. They quickly noted some quirks in her gait and weakness in her hips & glutes and set her up with homework which she's been agreeable to.

HB

GothicGremlin

Thanks @Iris L.

To say that Peggy is a fall risk is an extreme understatement. We've come up with a couple of tactics, but I'm sure there are more.

Iris L.

Interesting news: Oscar-winning Italian actress Sophia Loren, age 89, is recovering after surgery for several fractures of her hip and thigh bones.

Iris

dancsfo

I agree that exercises are useful, and noticed that many of them recommend doing it at a corner of a room, or where it's safe so you can prevent a fall. I mention this, since it's dangerous if you get too enthusiastic about exercising, and end up falling. Best to do it gradually, and perhaps together.

Here's an example of balance exercise pamphlet.

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/gsaa/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/03/2017-Exercise-Balance-010526-037.pdf