Senior Falls are Dangerous and Costly

MediNurse, in its 29th year as the premier provider of private duty nursing in St. Louis, knows this scenario all too well: You’re walking around the house, tending to your daily routine. Suddenly, you are down on the floor, shaken up and very possibly injured.

A fall can happen just that fast.

Every year, 2.5 million seniors are treated in the emergency room for fall injuries. More than 700,000 seniors are hospitalized, often because of a head injury or hip fracture. And, staggeringly, the direct medical costs for fall injuries are $34 billion annually.

One in five falls causes serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury. These injuries can make it difficult for a senior to do everyday activities and live independently. Sadly, many people who fall, even if not injured, become afraid of falling, which causes them to curtail their daily activities. When less active, a person becomes weaker and the chance of falling increases.

Seniors can exhibit risk factors that loved ones and caretakers should be aware of, including:

· Weakness in the lower body

· Vitamin D deficiency

· Difficulties with walking and balance

· The use of medicines, including tranquilizers, sedatives, antidepressants and some over-the-counter medications that can affect balance and steadiness

· Vision problems

· Foot pain or poor footwear

For wellbeing and peace of mind, call an expert for an in-home safety assessment. Also, remind your loved one not to be afraid he/she is going to fall; thinking about falling is one of the biggest risk factors.

Other measures you can take to make the environment safer include:

· Repair broken or uneven steps, and install non-skid strips on bare stairs. Make sure stairs are well lit and have handrails.

· Equip the bathtub or shower with non-skid mats, abrasive strips and grab bars.

· Remove or move throw rugs, lamp/telephone/extension cords and clutter to create a clear walking path.

· Install night lights.

MediNurse provides services that are customized to the individual needs of the client or patient and loved ones to ensure the best care possible. For more information, call us at 314-781-2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.