Falling can be a major source of worry for senior citizens. Even though winter might seem like the season where slips and falls occur the most, these kinds of accidents can also occur in the warmer months. In fact, anyone who is at risk of falling must be careful year-round in order to avoid the disastrous consequences these injuries can have on their health and independence.
Thanks to Go Geriatrics, the mobile multidisciplinary team at Clinique GOTM provides a wide range of homecare services for senior citizens. These health care professionals can help seniors with any issue that affects their physical or mental well-being.
To understand the causes of summer falls and the importance of preventing them, we met with Alison Gendron, a physical therapist with Clinique GOTM who has experience helping older clients.
Falls among older adults: a few statistics
Here are a few facts and figures that can shed light on how falls affect the health of senior citizens. According to data collected by the Public Health Agency of Canada , falls are the cause of 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations. Furthermore, 20 to 30% of seniors say they’ve fallen in the last year.
In the long-term, falls can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and a loss of independence. In fact, more than one-third of seniors hospitalized after a fall are placed in a long-term care facility. When it comes to slips and falls, the expression “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true.
Beyond physical injury
Even though physical injuries are commonly associated with falls, these accidents can also have psychological side effects. In fact, many people will stay home out of fear of falling and avoid taking part in physical and social activities, which can exacerbate their feeling of isolation. Social isolation is a cause for concern in the elderly population because it can lead to a sedentary lifestyle which in turn can affect an individual’s physical health. The fear of falling is the start of a vicious cycle: a person is afraid of falling and stays home, their physical health deteriorates, their risk of falling increases, and so on…
Physical therapists can help prevent the risk of falling
Alison Gendron and her physical therapy colleagues with the mobile team at Clinique GOTM are the best professionals to help senior citizens in their home and identify the risk factors that can lead to falls.
Physical therapists are able to assess their client’s intrinsic factors, that is to say those associated with their physical or psychological condition such as muscle weakness or loss of vision. A physical therapist is also able to evaluate their client’s home and identify the environmental factors that can lead to falls.
Once they understand their client’s condition and the risk factors present in their home, the physical therapist can provide tips to adapt their environment and significantly reduce the risk of falling. This process can also be done in joint collaboration with an occupational therapist if the situation is more complex.
How can you reduce the risk of falling?
To help those who are the most at risk of falling protect themselves, Ms. Gendron shares the following practical tips:
Shoes: Choosing appropriate footwear is the best way to prevent falls. Shoes must be closed toe to support the back of the foot. That will prevent the foot from slipping in the shoe. Choose adjustable shoes, with laces or Velcro to get the right amount of support. People with arthrosis can also use elastic laces instead of regular laces. Finally, make sure to choose shoes with slip resistant rubber soles to increase their grip on slippery surfaces.
Clothing: When it comes to clothing, avoid items that are too loose because these can snag onto items such as door handles. Dresses or skirts that are too long may also cause you to trip.
Lighting: Because senior citizens can experience loss of vision, good lighting is essential for preventing falls. Your home needs to be suitably lit, both inside and out!
Stairs and hallways: Stairs and other areas where the risk of falls is increased must be equipped with a sturdy ramp.
Mobility aids: Anyone who needs a cane, walker, or any other type of mobility aid should regularly consult a health care professional to make sure their aids are suitable for their condition, physiognomy, lifestyle, etc. Physical therapists are able to evaluate a person’s mobility aid and, if needed, recommend any necessary adjustments that need to be made.
Summer risks…
Senior citizens must be careful about the hot weather. It’s better to plan your errands, chores, gardening, and physical activities for the morning or the end of the day.
After spending the winter months cooped up inside, it’s normal to want to get some fresh air once the weather warms up. But remember to tread carefully on uneven surfaces (sidewalks, sloped driveway, etc.), as well as on the grass because branches and other debris can make you trip. You should also be careful after it rains because the water can make any surface extremely slippery.
Maintaining your physical abilities: the key to preventing falls
It’s extremely important for senior citizens to take the necessary steps to prevent their physical condition from deteriorating. In fact, maintaining muscle mass and balance are essential for preventing falls. There are programs designed by professionals to help senior citizens who want to remain active.
Alison says that seniors should carry out their physical activities in air-conditioned areas on hotter days. For instance, they can take a walk in a shopping mall or exercise in an indoor gym. Swimming in pools is also a fantastic way to stay active. The physical therapists at Clinique GOTM can help clients with aquatic exercises, no matter the season.
An intervention from a physical therapist can be extremely beneficial for anyone who wants to maintain their level of physical fitness, no matter how old they are.
The Clinique GOTM team to the rescue
As you might have guessed, you shouldn’t wait for a fall to occur before learning about the disastrous consequences it could have on your health. You should begin by identifying the risks in your environment. Whether for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to act sooner than later!
When you call upon the mobile services of Clinique GOTM, our physical therapists will travel to your home and identify any risk factors so you can take the precautionary measures necessary. In addition to professional advice, you’ll also enjoy peace of mind.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
