Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/574519
4 LIVE IT UP! THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL W hen it comes to falls, the statistics are staggering… One out of three people 65 and older fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury for seniors. One bad fall can be the difference between a healthy, independent lifestyle and a lifestyle of complete dependence. I run a local home care agency. We provide in-home care for seniors so they can remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Unfortunately, I know all too well the impact one fall can have on a senior's health and lifestyle. Not long ago, I visited an elderly man and his family in his home to discuss our services. This elderly man had experienced a couple of recent falls. Nothing serious he assured me, but serious enough to recognize that it was time to seek the assistance of professional help. Together, we de- termined that we could help. We scheduled to begin services with one of our care providers the following week. I received a call two days later from one of his children. The man had fallen. This time, it was a bad fall. So bad in fact, that he wound up in Dominican Hospital in critical condition. The fall had completely devastated this man who just one week prior was in great physical and mental health. Overnight, he lost his ability to walk, to feed himself, even to use the restroom. One bad fall had completely stripped him of his independence. He was bed-ridden and placed on Hospice Care. After a couple of weeks in the hospital, he was allowed to go home, with the assistance of our in-home aides and a Hospice Nurse. Within a week of returning home, the man passed away. This story is not uncommon. That one fall was the catalyst for this man's sudden and drastic decline in health and eventual death. What can we do to prevent our elder loved ones from falling so they can remain safe and independent for as long as possible? First, address the issue directly with your family member or loved one. Don't be surprised if they are not being entirely forthcoming about their fall history. Discuss the consequences of that individual experiencing a fall. In many cases, the consequences are a complete loss of that individual's ability to care for his or herself. Second, identify areas of risk in the individ- ual's living environment and make adaptations to promote safety while minimizing fall hazards. Install adaptive equipment like grab bars in the bathroom. Determine if there is a need for a shower bench in the shower. Replace the existing rugs with new non-slip rugs or remove the rugs altogether. There are many consider- ations to make and many resources available to determine what adaptations can be made in the home to reduce the risk of falling. Start by making an appointment with your loved ones primary care physician. The physician can assess your loved ones condition and refer your loved one to an occupational therapist that can visit the home and assist in making decisions that will make the home a safer place to live. Alterna- tively, you can call Safe at Home Senior Care for a complimentary in-home assessment. Finally, seek the help of your network of support. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk to family members, friends, members of your church and other important individuals in your life that can check-in on your loved one to make sure he or she is safe. You may even consider the services of a professional home care agency that has trained, professional, bonded, and insured staff that can serve as a companion to your loved one while assisting with tasks that might otherwise be too difficult for them to do safely on their own. Fall Prevention: Simple Steps to Prevent Falls in Your Home Ryan Colligan is the Director of Safe at Home Senior Care. To contact Safe at Home Senior Care please call (831) 462-3500 By Ryan Colligan, Director of Safe at Home Senior Care