CT Agency Steps Up to Reduce Soaring Rates of Elderly Falls

For senior citizens, everyday household items can become obstacles, causing falls and injuries, sometimes with deadly consequences. As a former Emergency Room Nurse and current Vice President of homecare agency Assisted Living Services (ALS), Ron D’Aquila, has seen firsthand the threats to personal safety that the elderly encounter on a daily basis in their own homes.

“The unfortunate reality is that some of our clients are hospitalized after a moderate to severe injury and then take a long time to recover,” explained D’Aquila. “We work with families to prevent these accidents in the first place by providing a complimentary home safety assessment at any residence in Connecticut.”

D’Aquila is particularly alarmed by the rising rates of elderly deaths resulting from falls in Connecticut as reported recently by the Centers for Disease Control. In our state, the number of deaths of persons age 65 or older attributable to falls increased from 243 in 2007 to 357 in 2016. Nationwide, the figure increased from 47 for every 100,000 senior citizens in 2007, up to a striking 61.6 deaths per 100,000 senior citizens in 2016. The overall rate rose by 31 percent during this time period.

The study notes that unintentional injuries are the seventh-leading cause of death among older adults and falls account for the largest percentage of those deaths. In order to combat all types of injuries in the home, ALS has led the charge by offering their technology, expertise, and home care services.

D’Aquila recommends seniors wear a fall detection necklace with a Medical Alert System. The device is worn around the neck to help detect a fall accurately. The necklace has the MyActive Alert Personal Help button and is equipped with technology that can override the need for the user to press a button. It automatically alerts the proper authorities to send help.

Other technological devices may be recommended after completion of a home safety evaluation by ALS using a Quality Assurance Visit Checklist to make sure any areas of weakness are identified and corrected.

In addition to personal home assessments, D’Aquila hosts Fall Prevention seminars at Senior Living Facilities as he recognizes the need to educate seniors in the community. Recently, D’Aquila and Tom Daly, Director of Live-in Services & Quality Assurance at ALS, gave a presentation at Westerleigh I & II in Unionville for their elderly and disabled residents. The discussion was followed by lunch and refreshments and attendees received a handout from the CDC on Fall Prevention.

In their presentation, D’Aquila and Daly addressed the top causes of falls and how to prevent them:

· Slips and trips can be prevented by wearing proper footwear, wiping up spills and cleaning excess messes, removing cords and hazards like scatter rugs, providing adequate lighting at nighttime and using bathroom safety devices properly.

· Physical inactivity can actually lead to more falls! Participate in exercise or activities that improve balance.

· Medications may have side-effects that can lead to falls such as blood pressure, sedatives, diuretics, anti-depressants, and pain medications, need to be discussed with a doctor, who may be able to make adjustments or provide advice to reduce symptoms contributing to a fall.

· Poor vision can be prevented by getting an eye exam, potential cataract surgery, and avoiding the use of multifocal glasses when ambulating.

· Improper use of Assisted Devices which Tom Daly demonstrated and discussed how to properly and safely use devices such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs and others.

“Some independent seniors can become apprehensive about exercising and socialization due to a fear of falling or embarrassment,” said D’Aquila. “That anxiety and subsequent inactivity can actually increase their risks. We encourage the use of technology to provide peace of mind and a quick response in the event of an emergency.”

For more than 20 years, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. in Meriden, Clinton and Fairfield has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Their unique CarePlus program blends personal care with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. Visit the showroom at 74 South Broad Street in Meriden, CT or learn more atwww.assistedlivingct.com or call 203.634.8668.

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PHOTO: Ron D'Aquila, RN and Vice President of Assisted Living Services Inc., recently hosted a Fall Prevention seminar at Westerleigh I & II in Unionville with Tom Daly, Director of Live-in Services & Quality Assurance at ALS, for their elderly and disabled residents.