Shocking New Statistics for Medication-Related Senior Falls

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woman speaking with a female medical professional via video chatWe’ve known for a long time that there are specific medications that increase the risk of senior falls. 20 years ago, only a little over 1/2 of older adults were impacted by that risk; yet now, that number has increased significantly – to a staggering 94% of seniors who are now in danger of falling as a result of medication side effects. In addition, deaths from such falls are taking place at more than twice the previous rate.

Researchers who identified this growing concern also found that between 1999 and 2017, senior prescriptions for medications that increase fall risk were filled more than 7.8 billion times. This consists of a spike from 12 million antidepressants in 1999 to greater than 52 million in 2017.

The analysis does not specifically identify these medications as the cause for fatality in the falls experienced, but indicates the requirement for additional exploration into the dosages being prescribed. Joshua Niznik in the geriatric medicine division at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine notes, “We’re starting to understand now that the dose of the medication that someone is on is really what we should be looking at probably with the greatest level of scrutiny, and that really has a strong correlation with falls.”

It is important for older adults and their doctors to work together to strike the ideal balance between managing the conditions that necessitate these medications and preventing additional complications from a fall.

Amy Shaver, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions, and lead author of the research study, explains, “These drugs are all necessary medications, but there needs to be a conversation about risks and advantages, that pro-con conversation about: For this particular patient at this particular point in time, what can we do?”

Medications that are specifically connected with fall risk include those for depression, blood pressure management, seizures, psychosis, and pain, among others. Women are most often prescribed these types of medications, and those 85 and older are being affected by the highest spike in fall-related deaths.

One step seniors can take to help is to have the home assessed for fall risk, and to follow through with any recommended safety measures. Generations at Home is pleased to offer an assessment, scheduled at your convenience. We can also help with fall prevention through:

  • Making sure that prescription drugs are taken exactly as prescribed
  • Aiding in safe walking and transfers
  • Encouraging seniors to engage in physician-approved exercise programs to strengthen balance, flexibility, and strength
  • And much more

For additional information about our home care services and to schedule a complimentary assessment, reach out to us at 727-940-3414!

When a Senior Falls: How to Help Regain Strength and Confidence

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senior woman getting assistance from caregiverWhile circus clowns and comedians may stir audiences to laughter over such stunts as slipping on a banana peel, there is nothing funny when a senior falls, as seniors are at an increased risk for serious injuries that may result in a long rehabilitation process. Not only that, but there is a lesser known complication that oftentimes arises from a senior’s fall: a fear of falling again which can be significant enough to impact quality of life and health.

As the saying goes, “Once bitten, twice shy.” It is normal – and wise – for an older adult who has fallen to want to take precautions in order to prevent a subsequent fall. However, for some, the fear of falling prevents necessary physical exercise, bringing about reduced balance confidence and weakness, both of which can actually enhance the danger of falling again.

Instead, it is crucial for seniors to:

  • Strengthen muscles. Ask the doctor and/or physical therapist for recommended exercises to engage in after a fall. Building strength is an extremely important component to preventing future falls.
  • Assess the house. Walk through the older adult’s home to check for any clutter, cords, throw rugs, etc. which could cause a tripping hazard. Ensure there’s plenty of lighting and install grab bars in the bathroom and anywhere else supplemental support might be beneficial.
  • Discuss it. Older adults may feel embarrassed for having fallen; however, it’s worthwhile to talk about what happened in order to evaluate which precautionary measures should be taken to make sure that it does not take place again.

It is also helpful for seniors to create goals, with the help of a medical professional, and to start to work on achieving them. The goals should be practical and fairly easily attainable, however, to instill confidence, such as having the ability to walk up and down the stairs independently while holding the handrail in the next 2 weeks, or walking the full length of the backyard within 4 weeks.

Once an objective has been set, identify the steps needed to get to that goal. What types of activities will help strengthen the muscles needed to go up and down the stairs, or to take a lengthier walk? And in case the goal is not achieved, figure out what prevented the accomplishment, and what additional steps could be taken to set and reach a new goal.

Above all, be sure to provide encouragement and support to cheer an older adult on towards regaining his/her self-assurance and confidence and also to lessen any fear.

For more advice on preventing falls, or to arrange for a no-cost in-home safety assessment, reach out to the St. Petersburg, FL home care experts at Generations at Home any time at 727-940-3414.

Help for This Common Alzheimer’s Care Concern: Resistance to Personal Hygiene

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Towel LifestyleOf the many challenges related to providing care for a loved one with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association reveals that the most prevalent difficulty is with personal hygiene, for a variety of reasons:

  • Reduced sense of vision and smell
  • Comfort found in familiarity (i.e., wanting to wear the same clothes over and over again)
  • The complexities of bathing, compounded by cognitive impairment and confusion
  • Fear of falling, the sounds and sensations of the water, and more

Cajoling, arguing, and reasoning are rarely effective tactics with those impacted by Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Instead, try these creative approaches if your loved one resists maintaining proper hygiene:

  • Prepare the bathroom in advance so the room will be comfortable and you won’t need to juggle gathering up supplies in conjunction with assisting the senior. Warm the room with a space heater, and place soap, shampoo, towels, washcloth, etc. within easy reach, as well as remove any throw rugs or other tripping hazards.
  • A shower chair and hand-held sprayer often make a more comfortable bathing experience for those with dementia. Face the chair away from the faucet, and use towels to cover parts of the body before and after they are cleaned to keep the senior warm and to avoid feelings of exposure.
  • Have the senior assist with bathing tasks as much as possible to promote independence. It may be as simple as offering a washcloth or the shampoo bottle for the senior to hold.
  • If hair washing is difficult for either of you, forego that task during bath time, and arrange for weekly trips to the salon.
  • Plan a special outing with the senior, such as a lunch date with a friend, and center bath time around getting ready for the event.
  • Bring in the recommendation of a medical professional, who can advise the senior about the increased risk of infection or skin problems without proper hygiene. Sometimes hearing from a trusted third party carries more weight than from a family member.
  • Engage the services of a caregiver, allowing the senior the dignity of having personal care needs tended to by a professional, rather than a family member.

At Generations at Home, each of our caregivers is adept in safe hygiene procedures for older adults, with specialized training to help those with Alzheimer’s disease feel comfortable with personal hygiene tasks, including creative approaches to safe bathing, skin, hair, and oral care, restroom assistance, and much more. Call us at 727-940-3414 or contact us online to discover effective solutions to the concerns you and your loved one are facing!

Plan for Senior Falls Now to Prevent a Future Injury

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caregiver assisting senior woman with walker outside

Learn proactive steps to take now to prevent senior falls.

Falls among senior citizens are all too common and may have serious outcomes. Taking precautionary measures is crucial, such as examining the house for fall risks like area rugs along with other trip and fall hazards, inadequate lighting, and a lack of appropriate grab bars and railings. But there’s a new approach being suggested now: making a fall plan of care, which, when implemented properly, has been demonstrated to reduce fall-related hospital visits by up to 40%.

So while we certainly do not want to plan for a senior loved one to fall, we can be better equipped by helping the person take the following steps:

  • Stay aware – Avoid letting your mind wander and instead keep your full concentration on your surroundings.
  • Check vision – Frequent eye tests and regularly wearing eyeglasses if needed can ensure tripping risks are noticed and bypassed.
  • Practice stability – Exercises as straightforward as lifting one foot off the ground and remaining balanced on the other foot for 30 seconds will help.

If a fall does occur, knowing how to fall more safely can minimize the possibility of injury. In particular:

  • Prevent head injuries by intentionally turning your face away from the fall, or tucking your chin to your chest if falling backward.
  • Bend the knees and elbows to avoid the stiffness which can lead to a break to the elbow or wrist when attempting to catch your fall.
  • Roll with the fall, which distributes the impact of the fall over an increased portion of the body instead of concentrating it on a single location.
  • Attempt to land on fatty tissue, such as on your thighs or bottom, instead of on more bony surfaces such as hips, knees, and elbows.

Using the following proactive steps can go a long way towards avoiding a fall:

  • Be sure that all walking areas both outside and inside of the house are free from clutter and any potential tripping hazards, such as extension cords.
  • Keep floors, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen, dry and clean.
  • Put up grab bars around the tub and toilet.
  • Make sure handrails are in place and secure alongside all stairwells.
  • Remove and replace any worn out carpets and remove all loose rugs.

At Generations at Home in St. Petersburg, FL, our caregiving team is trained in making your home environment as safe from falls as possible, and we are knowledgeable in providing ambulation assistance and oversight when necessary to help make sure fall risk is decreased. We’re also on hand to take part in physician-sanctioned exercise programs to increase balance and flexibility, resulting in overall improved overall health. Call us at 727-940-3414 for a free in-home assessment to discover more ways we can help!