Your parent(s) falling or falls with seniors, do you feel guilty?
Falls or falling can happen to anyone but mostly seniors. There is variety of reasons why senior fall: medications, lost of balance, lost of bone density, muscle wasting or weakness are few reasons why seniors fall. Fall related injuries are associated with significant disability, reduced mobility, independence and increased the risk of premature death. Even in the absence of physical injuries, falls might have a long term psychological consequences, including depression and fear of falling, that subsequently lead to restriction and social activities that lead to declines in health and function, as well as future falls. Most of the time we feel guilty that we have neglected them but fall can happen even in a hospital settings or assisted living where help are readily available. The most important thing to remember is to recognized that they are high risk of falling. Make sure their primary MD is aware of the fall; this might be caused by new medication(s) or interaction of 2 or more medication. Established a routine (even just a phone call) to check on your parents or grandparents and make sure someone is ready available, medical alert band so they can get immediate help when it happen. Diet and dietary supplement are also as important. Vitamin D supplementation has shown to reduce the risk of falling. Protein to prevent them from muscle wasting and calcium for bone density. Assist or encourage exercise especially balancing exercises, tai chi has been proven to decrease fall. According to Dr. Wayne research director for the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine in Boston. “The positive effects of tai chi include lower extremity strength and flexibility, changes in proprioception (particularly plantar proprioception, which has been seen to improve even in patients with peripheral neuropathy), and reduction in anxiety or fear falling, which itself a risk factor for falls”. Falls should not restrict you from living the life you wanted………… Share us your thoughts:
