"More than 33% of adults in the U.S. who are 65 or older fall each year. And nearly 1/3 of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries. In addition to physical injury, falls can lead to limited activity and loss of physical fitness, as well as long-lasting emotional health issues. It's important to understand and deal with fall risk before it affects your quality of life." Falls Prevention Learning Center, AARP Health and Wellness, 2012.
It was falls that precipitated Dwane moving into assisted living. Within about 3 weeks he had three falls and one run-into an open door -- which caused a long laceration to his forehead. He has not fallen since moving into assisted living -- because the facility is set up for safety; whereas, the world outside such facilities is not. These falls were not in our home, although bathroom falls are one of the highest sites for falls; they were on normal excursions on dry ground. Falls are a part of dementia, particularly those involving parkinsonian aspects, like Lewy Bodies Dementia.
Having dementia only increases the risk of falling; there is a risk for any of us who are getting older. This winter I know of several people in my age range who have fallen on icy surfaces or elsewhere. One woman in her early 60's fell in her bathroom and broke three ribs and bones in her foot, so significant she had to have surgery. It is important to protect ourselves AND our care receiver from the devastating effects of falls. We can start by making our home as risk-free as possible by making sure all pathways are clear, by having pathways lighted at night, by having good night lights in bathrooms and on the way to bathrooms, by not moving furniture so it is unfamiliar to the person with dementia. These actions can help all of us be safer in our homes.
No comments:
Post a Comment