How to Prevent Falls in Seniors

It’s been proven: one out of every three seniors falls one time (or more) every year. This equates to two and a half million trips to the emergency room and nearly ¾ million hospitalizations. A senior’s risk for falling can be determined, but unfortunately many primary care physicians just don’t have the time to measure this risk.

How can you help decrease a senior’s risk of falling?

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  Check for postural – or orthostatic – hypotension. When an individual’s blood pressure drops dramatically after changing position or going from a sitting to standing position, this can lead to falls. Make sure the senior isn’t being over treated for high blood pressure.
  
• Obtain a home safety assessment. If possible, get an occupational therapist to modify the senior’s home so that it is safe for them. Some items that will be covered include handrails on both sides of stairs, adequate lighting, electric cords safe, etc.
  
• Check the senior’s medications. Some medications are more likely to cause falls than others. These include antipsychotics, night-time sleep drugs, medications that cause drowsiness like antihistamines, and sedatives like lorazepam.
  
• Evaluating balance and gait. Does the senior seem unsteady when they walk? This is the first clue that they are at risk for a fall. Balancing exercises can be recommended, or even the use of a cane or a walker to help steady the senior’s balance.
  
• Taking Vitamin D every day. What’s the recommended dosage for most seniors? Best to consult the doctor, of course, but 1000 IU per day is the usual dosage. It has been found that Vitamin D reduces falls, so ask the senior’s physician if this would be suitable for them.

Are you interested in obtaining information about in-home health care in Anderson or senior home care in Greenwood, South Carolina? For a free consultation, call (864) 229-1211 today or email Beth Kapperman at bkapperman@abc-seniors.com.

How to Prevent “Sitting Disease” in Seniors

Sitting disease. It is, pretty much, how it sounds. It basically means that the more sedentary we are, the higher our risk will be for certain illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal issues, cancer, chronic kidney disease, circulatory problems, and more. And the facts are, when individuals get older, they tend to be more sedentary, whether it’s because they are tired, or because of various aches and pains, seniors are most likely to have “sitting disease” than any other age demographic.

Always Best Care Senior Services, an in-home senior caregiver provider, also provides information on senior living services, including the various senior living communities and their exercise and socialization programs. If you are looking for in-home care information in Anderson, South Carolina, or other types of senior living services in Greenwood, South Carolina, call (864)229-1211.

Preventing Sitting Disease

Whether you or your loved one lives in an assisted living community or not, there are ways to combat sitting disease, not just in seniors, but in all ages. Some of these include:

• Start a new hobby with family or with friends such as gardening, biking, regularly visiting the museum or planetarium, etc. Anything that gets people (and seniors) off the couch and outside moving will help prevent sitting disease.
  
• Engage in low impact activities with family or just by yourself. Activities like tai chi and yoga are perfect for stretching and endurance. They are always more fun when you do them together!
  
• Pick one day a week to engage in a bike ride together, or walk, to catch up on what’s been going on in everyone’s life. Stick to that day and don’t divert. If it rains, walk the mall and catch up!
  
• Whatever your destination, whether it’s the movie theater, the grocery store, or some other location, park at the far corner of the parking lot to force yourself to walk.
  

If there isn't enough family around to encourage and sustain these activities, an assisted living community is perfect for the senior who wants to stay active. With so many activities in place, the senior will not only get in exercise, but also socialization which has been proven to enhance quality of life. If you are interested in more information and you live in the Greenwood or Anderson, South Carolina area, call (864) 229-1211 today.