All right guys... Let's be candid here. Our parents are getting older has are we. I want to go over some keys to help keep your parents from having a bad fall. Falls and complications from those falls lead to many deaths in this world we live in. I have witnessed this first hand.
1) NO throw rugs around. These lead to falls many times over.
2) Steps... IF there is anyway to remove steps... DO it. Ramps are much preferable than steps. An electric lift is much better than steps. My step father bought a lightly used electric lift that costs about 2k dollars. This lift was over 5k dollars brand new. This is a great idea to help get into a house with an attached garage. Spend the money if you have it.
3) Know your parents medications and make sure they are taking the correct dosages. Taking too much of blood pressure medications, pain medication, or anti anxiety medication can cause great problems with ambulation.
4) Reinforce your to your parents to use assistive devices... A walker or cane can make all the difference if someone starts to lose their balance.
5) Make sure your family members are eating and DRINKING enough. We all become a bit more clumsy if we get dehydrated or our blood glucose is lower than it should be. I find that our older adults have a hard time drinking enough water especially. Buy good water if need be. If the tap water is not up to par then pay extra for better water. Have protein protein snacks around when your parents need a snack.
6) Get your parents a call pendent. If they fall and are oriented enough to hit the button this could well save their life. I had a firmer Co worker who wasn't all that old who fell and broke her hip. She lost 5 qts of blood. If it had been longer she would have not made it. Get a rescue pendent.
7) Realistically assess your parents abilities. Can they really do for themselves?? Are they really safe walking around their home?? If not then get assistance for them. This is not an easy circumstance by any measure. But take real time and put real thought into it. It could help them live longer on their own and make their last days and years much better for them and you.
I have seen people pass away as a result of a fall. It is tough. I was in the bathroom of 102 yr old patient of mine about a month ago. I moved his wheelchair closer behind him. He didn't know I was there. He did what he needed to do. Pulled his pants up, then lost his balance and started to fall backwards. I caught him and gently lowered him into his wheelchair. He was quite relieved needless to say. I was so glad to have been there. I am very vigilant about rounding on my people. Mostly for fall prevention. I would rather they pass on in their sleep than have a terrible fall and break bones which is quite painful obviously. I have one patient who is 110 yrs old. You all know where I park my cart when I'm on her floor?? Right outside of her door. To have my eyes and ears on her. And yes, I have caught her a number of times almost in a bad spot with her wheelchair. She will pass on at some point for sure. I would just rather it be in her sleep.
I hope that you all have a good day today. And Happy Easter.
1) NO throw rugs around. These lead to falls many times over.
2) Steps... IF there is anyway to remove steps... DO it. Ramps are much preferable than steps. An electric lift is much better than steps. My step father bought a lightly used electric lift that costs about 2k dollars. This lift was over 5k dollars brand new. This is a great idea to help get into a house with an attached garage. Spend the money if you have it.
3) Know your parents medications and make sure they are taking the correct dosages. Taking too much of blood pressure medications, pain medication, or anti anxiety medication can cause great problems with ambulation.
4) Reinforce your to your parents to use assistive devices... A walker or cane can make all the difference if someone starts to lose their balance.
5) Make sure your family members are eating and DRINKING enough. We all become a bit more clumsy if we get dehydrated or our blood glucose is lower than it should be. I find that our older adults have a hard time drinking enough water especially. Buy good water if need be. If the tap water is not up to par then pay extra for better water. Have protein protein snacks around when your parents need a snack.
6) Get your parents a call pendent. If they fall and are oriented enough to hit the button this could well save their life. I had a firmer Co worker who wasn't all that old who fell and broke her hip. She lost 5 qts of blood. If it had been longer she would have not made it. Get a rescue pendent.
7) Realistically assess your parents abilities. Can they really do for themselves?? Are they really safe walking around their home?? If not then get assistance for them. This is not an easy circumstance by any measure. But take real time and put real thought into it. It could help them live longer on their own and make their last days and years much better for them and you.
I have seen people pass away as a result of a fall. It is tough. I was in the bathroom of 102 yr old patient of mine about a month ago. I moved his wheelchair closer behind him. He didn't know I was there. He did what he needed to do. Pulled his pants up, then lost his balance and started to fall backwards. I caught him and gently lowered him into his wheelchair. He was quite relieved needless to say. I was so glad to have been there. I am very vigilant about rounding on my people. Mostly for fall prevention. I would rather they pass on in their sleep than have a terrible fall and break bones which is quite painful obviously. I have one patient who is 110 yrs old. You all know where I park my cart when I'm on her floor?? Right outside of her door. To have my eyes and ears on her. And yes, I have caught her a number of times almost in a bad spot with her wheelchair. She will pass on at some point for sure. I would just rather it be in her sleep.
I hope that you all have a good day today. And Happy Easter.