I know your initial reaction to this article will be I am just a money grubbing, crass senior housing capitalist that does not care about seniors. This is not true, hear me out. . . .
On January 28, 2013 the Sacramento Bee published an article titled: Deadly falls on the rise among seniors. The article makes the following points:
- California emergency rooms have been flooded with older seniors who have been injured or who have died as the result of a fall.
- From 2000 to 2010 rate of deaths from falls has increased by more than 50% in California and 65% nationally.
- Seniors are living longer and as a result are living with multiple chronic conditions that increase the risk of falling.
- In some cases, the medication seniors are taking for those conditions, increases risk of falling.
- Because we boomers tend to overestimate our abilities, we are less careful, further increasing the risk of falls.
I know your initial reaction to this article will be I am just a money grubbing, crass senior housing capitalist that does not care about seniors. This is not true, hear me out. . . .
On January 28, 2013 the Sacramento Bee published an article titled: Deadly falls on the rise among seniors. The article makes the following points:
- California emergency rooms have been flooded with older seniors who have been injured or who have died as the result of a fall.
- From 2000 to 2010 rate of deaths from falls has increased by more than 50% in California and 65% nationally.
- Seniors are living longer and as a result are living with multiple chronic conditions that increase the risk of falling.
- In some cases, the medication seniors are taking for those conditions, increases risk of falling.
- Because we boomers tend to overestimate our abilities, we are less careful, further increasing the risk of falls.
The article then goes on to describe a seven week fall prevention class that UC Davis Medical Center provides seniors. In the class seniors learn and practice exercises that are designed to improve, balance, flexibility and strength.
The Senior
Housing Opportunity
This emerging trend presents three very real opportunities to address too tackle this problem head-on:
- As a Marketing Outreach – UC Davis is providing this class on their hospital campus, but imagine offering your own fall prevention class at your senior living community as a community outreach. Hold the class in the morning and feed them in your dining room. Include your residents in the class as a way to build connections with these prospective residents.
- A Fall Avoidance Environment – Senior housing communities are designed to both provide maximum freedom of movement and reduce the risk of falls. In the context of these stories and statics you have the opportunity to very specifically contrast the safety seniors have in your community as opposed to home.
- Protecting Your Own Residents – This class should be a “must have” for every senior housing community. First, because it is the right thing to do for your residents; Second, because it will help protect your length of stay; and, Third, it becomes another marketing differentiator, because even though every community should have a formal fall prevention program most won’t.
Do you have a fall prevention or other types of wellness programs that you are using today? How are they working? How do they benefit your community and your residents? You can follow the link to the Stepping On Program
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Falls are a real problem for everyone, especially as we get older. I am over 55 and drawing more and more awareness to my surroundings as I move about throughout the day – and it seems no matter how careful I am – there’s a “fall instigator” just up ahead. Just last week I took a bad fall at Whole Foods market – slipped on a strawberry of all things and WOW did that hurt! Doc told me, “that’s weird, just had someone in the other day who slipped on a grape.” So, be careful… cause you never know what lies in your path or under the shoe!
Guess you can say that I “… overestimated my ability, we are less careful, further increasing the risk of falls.” I didn’t think I was going too fast – but maybe you’re right!
Carol
Content Coach & Writer for the Senior Living and Health Market
Help I’ve Fallen!
I’m sure we have all heard this this before and chuckled. Unfortunately this happens, seniors are five times more likely to go to the hospital from falls than any other cause. 70% of seniors will fall each year and 89% of falls happen out of reach of a phone, 90% of seniors that receive help within one hour, continue to live independently at home. (source: New England Journal of Medicine ) Personal Alert Medical Response known as PERS will get help to a senior when needed at a push of a button even in the shower. Once pushed you will be able to speak with a care specialist
From LinkedIn Groups
Steve, excellent article. I’ve hosted fall prevention clinics for a few years. Like you say, they are an excellent way to bring in the community and provide a service at the same time.
By Ralph Reid
From LinkedIn Groups
Many slips and falls can be prevented with the use of a device called NeuroGym Sit-To-Stand trainer. This device is amazing for strengthening weight-bearing muscles and increasing standing stability and endurance. The use of counter weights make this happen. Very simple yet extremely effective.
By Ernie Hoffman
From LinkedIn Groups
i am currently advising my clients to focus on getting a reliable fall history at admission and to address medical issues first after a fall. In my experience, medical reasons, resident non-compliance and environmental issues are the top causes of falls.
By Beth Alford
Falling can’t completely be avoided (witness the comments by Carol Marak), but we can plan and implement ways to minimize their occurence, both inside and outside the home. I love to garden and have been trying to make our home more aging-gardener-friendly in the past few years. I have even started a blog to record my successes and failures at it (http://gardenaginginplace.com ). Strength and balance training and exercise are important, as are rollators that can be taken into unpaved locations, and technology to alert others if one should fall. Does the Senior Housing Forum address concerns about outdoor activities such as gardening ?
This is a great article Steve, it really hits home because just 3 months ago my grandmother had a fall while she was using her walker. She was pointing to something and lost her balance and her hip. She had to get pins put in, go through surgery and be put into a rehab facility. If she had some sort of preventative class it would help her out tremendously. it is just devastating to watch your feeble 90 year old grandmother in that state. Recovery is much longer and they are at a point in their life when they can just give up. Luckily she’s a stubborn fighter. I think a fall prevention program is a great value added service!
From LinkedIn Groups
Senior housing does offer a safer environment. Residents in facilities should have a better environment living in an area designed to address the special needs of seniors. On site care is an ever increasing trend. Visiting providers of care offer convenience and less transportation hassles. The downside is facilities dont have a designated room for care. Often the hair salon or conference rooms are used. This is baffling and perplexing. How did a room for licensed hair care preced what is really needed, health care? Multi care treatment rooms on site in facilities are needed with a low and powered treatment table. Conventional exam tables are a hazard for seniors. Nothing to hold on to and you have to climb up onto them. Keep seniors in a safe environment and out of vans and cabs and off icy parking lots.
By Stuart Boekeloo
I agree that falls will never be completely avoided. Statistics keep rising as the budgets keep being cut, decreasing staff and increasing the resident/staff ratio. Nurses and families are confronted with weighing potential benefits to the residents against potential harm while maintaining the individuals rights. And since we have become focused on being “restraint/barrier” free, the risks increase. By no means am I employing that we return to sedating people or placing in full restraints. I think all the preventive measures and strengthening programs are awesome. But the bottom line is there are those who have “given-up” or unable. That is why I encourage the use of SafetyBunns, non-slip pants before the “bells and alarms”. Again, due to shortage of staff and especially during shift change/meetings can reduce the risks of “slip/sliding” from chairs.
From LinkedIn Groups
In my opinion, preventive education (awareness) and environmental modifications are necessary but insufficient strategies for effective fall prevention. We also need doctors that identify fall risk factors (including medications) and offer targeted preventive strategies (based on identified risk factors). With the exception of geriatricians, studies report that the vast majority of doctors do not perform annual fall risk assessments (nor do they ask elders about falls).
By Dr Rein
From LinkedIn Groups
I am the Life Enrichment Manager at an Assisted Living home. I engage residents with Alzheimer’s and Dementia in activities that are physically and mentally stimulating. We have a Physiotherapist that interacts with the residents on the Assisted, Alzheimer’s & Dementia floors three times per week and we also provide chair exercises seven days per week. Periodically we invite guest speakers to inform residents and their families on ways to prevent falls. I believe keeping the residents informed and exercised is an excellent preventative to falls.
By Antoinette Barzotto
I had not thought of using my ALF Fall Prevention Program as a community resource. My ALF is opening in the next 30-45 days, and this may be a great way to bring people in for an initial visit. What a great way to introduce us to the community and do some good at the same time!! Thank you!