Falls are one of the major causes of injuries in older adults. Although a number of factors can affect fall risks, medication management is perhaps one of the easiest tactics to use for fall prevention.
As seniors age, their bodies change, and because of these changes, older adults have trouble ambulating and are at an increased risk to experience the side effects of medications. Mix that with medications that are known to affect the brain, blood pressure, or blood sugar and, odds are, that a fall will happen.
Medication and Fall Prevention, What can you do?
Each year, one out of three seniors aged 65 or older encounters at least one adverse medication reaction. What can be done to reduce the likelihood that you or a loved one could suffer a fall from medications?
The first thing that can be done is to know what medications your loved one are taking and why. Often times, seniors end up taking a laundry list of medications prescribed by multiple doctors without realizing that the combination of some medications can cause many unwanted side effects. The best thing to do is to routinely review these medications with their primary care physician.
Upon enrollment in the Senior LIFE Program, the Senior LIFE medical team will review all of the members medications to ensure that they are taking what’s right for them and reduce their chance of experiencing adverse effects or drug interactions, some of which could cause falls.
Once a member of the LIFE Program, members medications are regularly reviewed. Senior LIFE provides Medication Therapy Management and has a trained pharmacist routinely consult with each member to answer questions to help them understand their medications more completely. As a members medical needs change, so does their care plan.
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Fall Prevention – Don’t wait for a fall to happen
The second thing you can do is to pay attention to how your loved one is acting. If you notice a sudden change in their behavior or they report not feeling right, it’s time to speak with their doctor. Catching medication interactions early can greatly reduce the risk of a fall.
At Senior LIFE, we get to know your loved one personally. The entire Senior LIFE team, from the bus drivers to the nurses to the physical therapist,are trained to spot changes in mood or behavior. Our team works swiftly to address any major health concerns and reduce opportunities for falls.
Finally, regular medical checkups, like those provided through the Senior LIFE program, are important in mitigating medication interactions and overuse. Also, at those checkups, a doctor can check for other factors that could increase the likelihood of fall such vision and hearing loss or dizziness. Our members can enjoy their day at the LIFE Health and Wellness center and receive all the medical care at our clinic, activities and meals in the dayrooms, therapies in our rehab, assisted personal care in our grooming area, and much more.
At Senior LIFE, our goal is keep seniors safely at home for as long as possible. We work with seniors and their families to create a care plan tailored specifically to meet their individual needs. Which is why we offer ongoing physical and occupational therapies for all of our members who need it. Our goals are to maintain strength to minimize falls, so our members can continue living at home. Although it is impossible to prevent all falls, we help our members reduce the likelihood of a fall through regular care plan reviews and getting to know our members personally.
Senior LIFE offers free consultations to determine eligibility for the program. To learn if you are eligible to receive Senior LIFE services at no cost, contact us today to set up a meeting with an outreach coordinator.
