Protecting Older Adults from Fall-Related Injuries

September 8, 2024

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Celebrates Fall Prevention Month This September- Raising Awareness and Taking Action to Protect Older Adults from Fall-Related Injuries.

September is Fall Prevention Month, a critical time to focus on the safety and well-being of our older adult population. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is proud to join this national effort to raise awareness about fall-related injuries, hospitalizations, and their significant impact on quality of life and healthcare costs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls each year. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in this age group, leading to over 3 million emergency department visits annually. Beyond the physical injuries, falls can result in a reduced quality of life, with many older adults experiencing a loss of independence and increased fear of falling again.

The financial impact is also staggering. The CDC estimates that falls among older adults cost the U.S. healthcare system over $50 billion each year. These costs include hospitalizations, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation, which often place a significant burden on families and caregivers.

Preventing Falls at Home: Simple Steps for Safety

Many falls can be prevented with simple adjustments to the home environment and proactive health measures. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health encourages individuals and families to consider the following fall prevention strategies:

Remove Tripping Hazards: Keep walkways clear of clutter, secure loose rugs with double-sided tape, and immediately clean up spills.
Improve Lighting: Ensure all areas of the home are well-lit, especially stairways and bathrooms. Consider installing nightlights in hallways and bedrooms.
Install Grab Bars and Handrails: Place grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet and shower, and install handrails on both sides of stairways.
Wear Proper Footwear: Encourage the use of shoes with non-slip soles and avoid walking around the house in socks or slippers.
Exercise Regularly: Engage in exercises that improve balance and strength, such as Tai Chi, to help prevent falls.

In-Home Assessments by Our Experts

At Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, our team of Physical and Occupational Therapists is dedicated to helping older adults stay safe in their homes. We offer in-home assessments to identify potential fall hazards and provide personalized recommendations to enhance safety. Our therapists work closely with patients to develop tailored exercise plans that strengthen muscles and improve balance, further reducing the risk of falls.

“As we celebrate Fall Prevention Month, it is vital to recognize the profound impact falls have on older adults and their families,” said Aubrey Engle, RN, Executive Director of Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “By taking proactive steps, we can prevent falls and ensure our loved ones maintain their independence and quality of life. Our team is here to support the community with expert assessments and care designed to keep everyone safe at home.”

Don’t wait to ask about how our compassionate staff can help your loved ones. To qualify for home health care, a person must have a physician’s order and demonstrate a need for skilled care that can be safely provided at home. Our focus is on providing comfort to patients and support to families, with our team available 24/7 to address any concerns. The call is free, and our professionals are ready to assist you! Call us today at 603-536-2232 to learn more.

Pemi-Baker Celebrates Fall Prevention Month in September

September 6, 2023

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is proud to announce its participation in Fall Prevention Month this September. Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults, and Pemi-Baker is committed to raising awareness and promoting safety measures to prevent these accidents within the home.

Each year, millions of older adults suffer from fall-related injuries, leading to hospitalizations, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Fall Prevention Month serves as a vital opportunity to educate the community about the importance of fall prevention and offer guidance on creating safer home environments for older adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are responsible for numerous injuries, including fractures, head injuries, and even fatalities. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of falls is significant, and Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is dedicated to making a positive impact by sharing valuable information and resources on fall prevention.

Key Ways to Prevent Falls in the Home:

Home Safety Assessment: One of the first steps in fall prevention is conducting a thorough home safety assessment. Identifying and addressing potential hazards like loose rugs, cluttered walkways, and poor lighting can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
Medication Management: Many medications can cause dizziness or unsteadiness, increasing the likelihood of falls. Regular medication reviews with healthcare providers can help adjust doses or find safer alternatives.
Exercise and Balance Training: Engaging in regular exercise, especially strength and balance training, can improve stability and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. Activities like tai chi and yoga are particularly beneficial.
Vision Care: Regular eye check-ups are crucial as poor vision can lead to falls. Ensure that eyeglass prescriptions are up to date, and adequate lighting is available in all areas of the home.
Assistive Devices: The use of assistive devices like grab bars, handrails, and non-slip mats in bathrooms and other high-risk areas can significantly enhance safety.
Footwear: Encourage the use of proper footwear with non-slip soles and good arch support, both indoors and outdoors.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Dehydration and poor nutrition can lead to weakness and unsteadiness. Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated are essential for overall health and fall prevention.
Home Health Services: Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers home health services, including skilled nursing and physical therapy, to help older adults maintain their independence and reduce fall risk.

“We are dedicated to the well-being of our community, especially its older members,” said Danielle Paquette-Horne, RN, Executive Director of Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “We hope to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe in their homes and enjoy a higher quality of life.”

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health encourages everyone to join in their efforts to prevent falls and promote safety within the home. For more information and to access free resources, or contact our team at 603-536-2232.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is a trusted, nonprofit agency proudly serving 32 towns in central and northern NH since 1967. Expert services include at-home healthcare and physical therapies (VNA), hospice and palliative care, and community programs including: American Red Cross CPR/AED/FA, Caregiver and Bereavement Support Groups and Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse days at your local senior centers. Providing compassionate care with experienced staff who are trained, certified professionals and also your neighbors. In your time of need, we’re right where you need us.

Preventing Falls with Occupational & Physical Therapy

September 18, 2020

September is National Falls Prevention month! At least one out of every three adults over the age of 65 falls each year, resulting in almost 2 million older adults ending up in an emergency room. Out of those 2 million, 15,000 die from their injuries. That equals 1 death every 35 minutes as a direct result of a fall. With the help of Pemi-Baker Community Health’s therapy practitioners, older adults can take steps to reduce fall risk and safely increase their involvement in activities they value.

What Causes Falls?

Falls result from personal, environmental, and activity-based factors. Personal factors include such things as illness, behaviors, capabilities, medications, and fear of falling. Environmental factors are those outside of the older adult, such as hazards in the home, the stability of the shoes he or she wears, and the availability and use of mobility devices like canes or walkers. Finally, specific activities can place someone at risk for a fall when the demands of the activity exceed his or her abilities. For example, when someone who has poor balance stands on top of a step stool to reach into a cabinet, fall risk increases. “It is the interaction of these factors that typically leads to a fall,” says Pam Hixon, Occupational Therapist at Pemi-Baker Community Health.

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How Occupational Therapy Can Help

The role of occupational therapy in fall prevention has been widely and increasingly recognized. “Occupational therapy practitioners consider how the individual functions in his or her day-to-day environment,” says Hixon. “They actively involve the client in the fall prevention process to better understand individual fall risk factors and intervention priorities. Teaching clients how to identify and solve problems is an important part of the occupational therapy process.”

Occupational therapy practitioners working in home health have a unique opportunity to understand factors that increase fall risk. They usually start creating a fall prevention plan by discussing the older adult’s typical and desired daily activities. To understand a client’s capabilities, the practitioner might ask the client to perform some typical activities, such as climbing stairs or getting in and out of the bathtub.

To make activities safer and easier, the practitioner might suggest new ways to do things or recommend the use of adaptive equipment. They will help clients select which assistive devices would be most appropriate- walkers vs canes for example. The practitioner also helps to identify and address hazards in the home such as loose rugs, stairways cluttered with items and slippery tubs and showers. They can also help procure items such as grab bars, tub seats, raised toilet seats…all of which increase safety.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Preventing falls is key, but reducing the chance of injury in the case of a fall is also extremely important. Screening for osteoporosis through a painless bone density test can be very helpful. Older adults who have low bone mass are at greater risk for a fracture if a fall occurs. Osteoporosis can be managed medically with a physician’s help, and physical therapy practitioners can help clients who have osteoporosis build bone mass through activity, thus increasing their ability to engage in day-to-day activities more easily.

When you first meet your physical therapist, he or she will assess your balance. If it is impaired due to visual, inner ear or muscular reasons, your physical therapist will give you exercises to safely challenge and improve your balance. For those with very high fall-risk factors, doing exercises waist to chest deep in Pemi-Baker’s warm therapy pool creates a very safe setting for a client to be in control, without the risk of falling. On land or in the water, physical therapy will help improve your mobility, and provide an important boost to your confidence when walking so you can minimize your risk of falling and enjoy your normal everyday activities.

Accessing Occupational or Physical Therapy

Older adults can access therapy services for fall prevention in various settings, such as acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and in the home via home health services. Pemi-Baker Community Health offers services in the home as well as at their facility on 101 Boulder Point Road in Plymouth, NH.

If you are concerned about falling, or have had a fall recently, talk to your Primary Care Physician (PCP) about getting a referral to see an Occupational or Physical Therapist with Pemi-Baker Community Health. With over 50 years of experience, serving clients from 20+ towns in central and northern New Hampshire, Pemi-Baker Community Health is committed to creating healthier communities. Services include at-home healthcare (VNA), hospice and palliative care and on-site physical, occupational and aquatic therapy at their Boulder Point Facility.

To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org