Author: deborahazuine@gmail.com

Alarming Fall Rate in Older Adults

Are you at least 65 years old Or Older? Have you fallen in the past? Do you have vision or hearing problems? What about the safety of your home environment? Do you take more than one prescription medication and more especially, have you fallen in the past? Even wearing the wrong type of shoe can increase the risk of fall in older adults.

According to the center for disease control(CDC), in 2010 alone 2.3 million nonfatal fall related injuries was treated in hospital emergency departments, while 662,000 resulted to hospital admission. One in three older adults ages 65 and older fall every year. Understanding of the risk factors is crucial in ensuring the safety and well being of our aging population. Some of the risk factors for fall are:

  • Age
  • Chronic and Acute disease conditions
  • Vision problem
  • Hearing problem
  • Cognitive and Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer, Dementia,
  • Use of multiple prescription medication
  • Arthritis
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Environmental and Home hazards
  • Poor posture, imbalance and Gait problem
  • Wearing the wrong type of shoe

 

At On Time Home Health Service Our My Choice Fall Prevention program is designed to help you identify your risk and provide a solution to address and reduce your risk for fall and its related injuries.

If you want to know how you can prevent and protect yourself from unnecessary fall? , Give Us a Call Today! 240-429-2874 Choose a fall free life!

Remember , My Choice , a Fall Free Life . What about yours?

Caring for a loved one with AD/Dementia

We all know about the saying that " All We Need Is Love". Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be very demanding and sometimes challenging but understanding the individual need can make a lot of difference. Next time when you think of a person suffering from Alzheimer's, just remember that they are human, they need love and affection just like everybody. and the fact they have Alzheimer's does not make them inhuman. The following is a list of Dos and Don'ts when caring for Someone with Alzheimer's :

DO's

1. Remember to offer a gentle touch. There is a healing power in a gentle and reassuring touch

2.Always Communicate at eye level

3. Offer Reassuring Words

4. Learn to adapt to their world! which means learn to accept them as a person.

5. Always give a listening ear even if they are not making sense

6. Remember to use distraction technique when they get emotional.

7.Focus on their present personality and situation

DON'Ts

1. Don't be in a hurry

2. Do not argue

3. Never try to change the person

4.Avoid getting frustrated or angry at their behavior as they have no control over it.

5. Avoid unrealistic expectation such as what or how you expected them to behave.

Remember, All we need is Love and together we can win the fight against Alzheimer's. For more facts and information checkout the Alzheimer Association. www.alz.org

Possible Signs of Alzheimer

Over 5 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and this number is expected to triple by the year 2050. Alzheimer's disease is among the leading cause of death ranking at No 6. Though there is no known cure for the condition but early detection is very crucial for effective management. The question is, how do we tell if our loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's? One should refrain from self diagnosis. The following are lists of possible signs of Alzheimer's that should never be ignored:

1. Any Memory loss that disrupts a person daily life

2. Confusion with time or place : Example includes forgetting the day of the week.

3.Difficulty carrying out/completing familiar tasks: Difficulty carrying out regular activities may be affected.

4. Forgetfulness/inability to retrace one's steps: They may constantly misplace or lose things and are not able to remember where or how it happened.

5. Change / Poor Judgment: May have problem in making the right decision and choices.

6. Problem with words (includes speaking and writing)

7. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships:

8. Changes in mood/personality

9. Withdrawal from social activities.

10. Difficulty in communication: May have problem finding the right word during communication .

If you or a loved one is experiencing any one or more of the above named signs, it is time to see a doctor. Preferably a geriatrician for a comprehensive assessment including cognitive assessment to determine the right diagnosis since other cognitive conditions may mimic the same sign as that of Alzheimer's. By ruling out other conditions, they can better provide you with the care and other resources needed to take care of your loved one.