Falling Risk


I am at a loss as to what to do with my father. He has early dementia and bad balance problems. He is now falling and hitting his head every couple of weeks. One time he broke 3 ribs and now he has bleeding in his brain from his most recent fall. I don't think he should go into a nursing home just for fall risk, right? You need to be alot more sick to get into a nursing home? But I don't know what care he needs to prevent him from falling as much and getting himself really hurt. We would be open to home health care but I don't what support he can get from that.
Comments
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is he using a walker? If not, I suggest he start. Depending on his home is set up, he might be safer in assisted living. Although not all assisted living facilities would accept a known fall risk. Early dementia might be too soon for memory care.
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Have a home health evaluation ordered by his primary care. They can evaluate him, the home and make recommendations for safety. This is covered 100% by Medicare. Good luck.
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I think most facilities would do an evaluation before he would be admitted. Usually if you are talking about a nursing home I would assume you’re considering Medicaid. There is a requirement for Medicaid that the person need a certain level of care. If you called and talked with admissions and gave them the basics on his condition, they might be able to give you a rough idea if he would qualify. I agree it sounds like it’s time for a walker. The big question is will he be willing to use one. If he doesn’t understand the need for a walker or the importance in using it, he may need more care than you expect. Because of my moms anosognosia she thought the idea of a walker was ridiculous. I’ve never heard of the home health evaluation cdgbdr mentioned, but that sounds like a great resource.
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Thanks everyone for your replies. Very helpful. He does use a walker already. So that is why I am at a loss of what more he can do. The walker didn't protect from the bad fall onto his head.
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talk to his doctor for a home health evaluation, a physical therapy and occupational therapy referrals. See if any medications he’s on cause dizziness. There are medical alert devices that will automatically call for help if he falls. Ask the doctor about that. Even if he had 24/7 care or in assisted living or memory care falls are difficult to prevent. My husband tumbled out of a wheelchair with a caregiver nearby. Nothing she could have done because it happened so fast.
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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