GENERAL MEDICAL ISSUES
The senior's personal doctor is in the best position to monitor and make recommendations regarding fall prevention and mobility issues. The doctor can evaluate gait and balance abnormalities which are good predictors of recurrent falls:
When meeting with the doctor the senior should be prepared to discuss medical issues such as, how comfortable the senior is when walking; does he or she feel any numbness, dizziness, joint pain, or shortness of breath when walking. The doctor may then evaluate the patient's muscle strength, walking style and balance.
Examples medical issues which can affect a senior's risk of falling or mobility issues include:
Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. With your doctor's permission, consider activities such as walking, water workouts or other gentle exercise (such as tai chi). Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
If the senior avoids physical activity because he or she is afraid it will make a fall more likely, please tell the doctor. The doctor may recommend carefully monitored exercise programs or make a referral to a physical therapist. The physical therapist can create a custom exercise program aimed at improving the senior's balance, flexibility, muscle strength and gait.
The medical professional can also make referrals to others professionals such as occupational therapists if the situation calls for it. The occupational therapist can work with the senior in brainstorming issues such as proper level and placement of lighting in the senior's residence, or removal of other home hazards (such as, the lack of hand rails, loose carpet or other obstructions where the senior walks at home).
Finally, the physician or physical and occupational therapist can help advise the senior about the availability of various assistive devises. These devises can include the best type of cane or walker if one is required, or how hip protectors might offer an added degree of protection in the event of a fall. Other types of issues that could be discussed include the best type of shoes to wear, they should be properly fitting and have non-skid soles. Shoes with extra-thick soles should generally be avoided .
Reference to websites of interest related to this subject are as follows.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0701/p81.html
- difficulty with rising or sitting down
- instability immediately after standing
- staggering on turns
- walking with short, discontinuous steps
When meeting with the doctor the senior should be prepared to discuss medical issues such as, how comfortable the senior is when walking; does he or she feel any numbness, dizziness, joint pain, or shortness of breath when walking. The doctor may then evaluate the patient's muscle strength, walking style and balance.
Examples medical issues which can affect a senior's risk of falling or mobility issues include:
- poor vision
- high blood pressure
- cognitive impairment
- excessive muscular weakness or inflexibility
- degenerative joint disease of hips/knees
- foot disorders
- peripheral neuropathy
- inner-ear problems
Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. With your doctor's permission, consider activities such as walking, water workouts or other gentle exercise (such as tai chi). Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
If the senior avoids physical activity because he or she is afraid it will make a fall more likely, please tell the doctor. The doctor may recommend carefully monitored exercise programs or make a referral to a physical therapist. The physical therapist can create a custom exercise program aimed at improving the senior's balance, flexibility, muscle strength and gait.
The medical professional can also make referrals to others professionals such as occupational therapists if the situation calls for it. The occupational therapist can work with the senior in brainstorming issues such as proper level and placement of lighting in the senior's residence, or removal of other home hazards (such as, the lack of hand rails, loose carpet or other obstructions where the senior walks at home).
Finally, the physician or physical and occupational therapist can help advise the senior about the availability of various assistive devises. These devises can include the best type of cane or walker if one is required, or how hip protectors might offer an added degree of protection in the event of a fall. Other types of issues that could be discussed include the best type of shoes to wear, they should be properly fitting and have non-skid soles. Shoes with extra-thick soles should generally be avoided .
Reference to websites of interest related to this subject are as follows.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0701/p81.html
