How Can Home Health Therapy Improve Your Quality of Life ?

Falls remain the leading cause of injury for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.

In 2005,

● 15,800 people 65 and older died from injuries related to unintentional falls.

● Nearly 1.8 million people 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for injuries from falls, and more than 433,000 were hospitalized

The Most Important News

Falling is NOT an inevitable result of aging. Bringing public awareness to the issue and to the available interventions is important. Far too many older adults fear falling and fear reporting incidents as somehow issues and a loss of independence; yet that first or second fall, or balance concerns can signal a growing risk that can be addressed through balance and exercise , medications adjustment, vision checks and/or home safety improvements.

Focus on Fall Prevention.

Older adults must be willing to talk to their families and health care providers about their fears of falling or fall incidents as the first step to maintaining independence and staying upright.

What is Physical Therapy (PT) - Occupational Therapy(OT) ?

Our agency has found that falls often occur during dressing. We have found that providing a combination of OT to help the patient with modifications for independent activities of daily living (IADL’S) and PT for balance/strengthening will help prevent falls. Physical Therapy is encouraged to establish an exercise program for gait, strength, and balance in the home. OT is encouraged to identify adaptations needed in the home environment to create safety and more independence with tasks.

Home Safety Evaluation

A therapist can evaluate the home environment for safety improvements. Our agency looks at:

o Safe steps

o Adequate lighting

o Loose flooring or slippery floors (throw rugs)

o Small pets

o what the home is like at night? (Nightlights, etc)

Patients and / or their family are educated in environmental risks such as obstructed pathways, poorly light walkways, lack of railings/grab bars, poor footwear.

A multi-fall risk assessment includes fall history, mobility, bladder function, mental status, vision, gait abnormalities, high risk medications, orthostatic changes, and co-morbidities.

Are you aware that some high-risk medications can cause dizziness, blood pressure changes and/or confusion? A medication review reveals a risk for falls if taking four or more medications OR a high-risk medication!

See if you can qualify for a home safety review…

Call Shepard’s Nursing to discuss questions or concerns about a need for possible therapy in the home. 806-665-0356 or 800-542-0423.