Falls: A Major Cause of Hospitalization and Declining Health in Older Adults
In Minnesota, a program called Stand Up and Be Strong was developed in response to the growing evidence that falling is a major cause of hospitalization and declining health in adults over the age of 65 years.
Research has shown that physical activity is effective in improving balance and strength, two primary elements of strong stance. Additional evidence has shown strengthening to be a primary and effective tactic to decrease incidences of falling. It is only one part of a multifaceted, comprehensive approach, but it is a key ingredient to achieve and maintain safe and independent function.
I have often thought that probably 100% of the clients we care for through Seniors’ Choice at Home could benefit from a regular strengthening program through a physical and/or occupational therapist. Unfortunately, Medicare and private insurances pay for these services only when they meet certain criteria. However, the cost is an investment that brings valuable benefits.
Yesterday, I spent some time with an occupational therapist from a new company in Minnesota called Above and Beyond Senior Services. She and her partner, a physical therapist, both have extensive experience working with seniors. One of the reasons they started their company was because they believed that seniors could benefit from their services beyond the time that Medicare allows. Besides physical and occuaptional therapy services, they offer a wealth of help including cognitive assessment. Their assessment and interpretation of a battery of evaluation tools help seniors and their caregivers learn how cognitive impairment affects one’s living situation, medication and money management, driving and activities of daily living. Even more importantly, they help clients and care givers learn how they can improve their living situation. You can check out Above and Beyond at thir website: www.aboveservices.com. In general, Minnesota has some good resources regarding fall prevention at: www.mnfallsprevention.org
There are many good physical/occupational therapy organizations all over the US. Even though the service may seem expensive, preventing a fall, preventing a hospitalization, preventing a nursing home stay are all invaluable. The US has not come very far in helping patients recover from a hip fracture. The mortality rate has not improved very much in the past 50 years, so any measures to prevent a fall are so worth the expense.
Good information in this article. I think that homecare agencies can be an invaluable asset to seniors and their families. I recently was the primary caregiver for my 75 year old mother, who had a total knee replacement and came home after a 3 day hospital stay. We were fortunate to have a wonderful Home Health Care nurse who came for 2 visits and called 3 times to check on the situation. She did an enormous amount of teaching about fall prevention, including encouraging us to obtain a hand held shower head, a bath mat and to remove scatter rugs in the kitchen that my mother so loves! She also worked with us to think about other strategies-I recently purchased a collapsible mesh hamper so that my mother could continue to do her own laundry without using the ” laundry basket” which is dangerous, due to not being able to see steps and not being able to hold onto railings.
My mother would continue to benefit from PT; however, she already met the Medicare guidelines.
Thanks. Mary C