When Someone You Love Falls

1
When Someone You Love Falls

• How you can help your loved one
• and yourself

2
Sharing Experiences

• Would anyone like to share their experiences with
  family members who have fallen?
• What are you hoping to get out of this meeting?

3
In this session well

• learn about the problem of falls and the impact
  that a fall can have on the life of an older
  adult,
• learn about the kinds of services usually needed
  after a fall, and where these can be found in
  their community,
• understand some of the risks for falls and how
  these can be minimized to prevent future falls or
  minimize fall injuries,
• discuss ways that they can approach their loved
  one to talk about safety using a non-threatening,
  problem-solving approach, and
• reflect on the effect this has on their own
  stress level, and discuss ways of reducing their
  own stress.

4
Health and Occupation

• Health and well-being influence the ability to
  engage in lifes occupations those activities
  that occupy our time and energy throughout the
  day.

A fall can lead to changes in occupation e.g.
managing personal care, doing work around the
house or getting out in your community. Such
changes can lead to increased dependency, a lack
of confidence and depression.
By problem solving together you can identify
positive steps that you can take to help your
loved ones to do the things that are they value
and find important.
5
The facts about falls

• Fall - a sudden and unintentional change in
  position resulting in an individual landing at a
  lower level such as on an object, the floor, or
  the ground, with or without injury. (Public
  Health Agency of Canada, 2005)

6
Facts about Falls

• 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 experience a
  fall each year.
• Falls are the second leading cause, after motor
  vehicle collisions, of injury related
  hospitalizations for all ages accounting for 29
  of injury admissions.
• 62 of injury related hospitalizations for
  seniors are the result of falls.
• The fall related injury rate is nine times
  greater among seniors than among those less than
  65 years of age.
• Of seniors falls, 50 experience a minor injury,
  and 5-25 sustain a serious injury such as a
  fracture or sprain.
• 40 of admissions to nursing homes occur as a
  result of falls by older people.
• Even without an injury, a fall can cause a loss
  in confidence and a curtailment of activities,
  which can lead to a decline in health and
  function and contribute to future falls with more
  serious outcomes.
• A 20 reduction in falls would translate to an
  estimated 7,500 fewer hospitalizations, 1,800
  fewer permanently disabled seniors, and a savings
  of 138 million annually.

(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005)
7
What can you do to help prevent or minimize a
future fall?

• Look at your loved one from the point of the
  Person, Environment, Occupation

8
The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance
Townsend, E (ed), Enabling Occupation An
Occupational Therapy Perspective, Canadian
Association of Occupational Therapists, Ottawa,
ON, 2002
9
Person

• Make sure that your loved one
• gets involved in activities that can help to
  build or maintain balance and strength.
• has an annual physical to review medical
  conditions that might increase the risk of falls
  (arthritis, blood pressure problems, cardiac
  problems, etc).
• if taking multiple medications, brings all the
  medications, including over the counter
  medications that are taken regularly, to the
  annual physical for review.
• wears supportive, non-slip footwear and make sure
  regular foot care is received if independence in
  this area is difficult,
• has regular vision and hearing checks.

10
Occupation

• Help your loved one to
• use only safe equipment when doing work around
  the house (e.g. a sturdy step ladder instead of a
  chair).
• always consider if there are safer and easier
  ways of doing the things (e.g. washing outside
  windows with a hose and detergent rather than
  climbing on a ladder and doing it).
• consider getting help with some of the heavier
  cleaning and maintenance

11
Environment

• Check the home to make sure that the lighting is
  good. Consider a remote control for the light
  next to the bed if getting up at night?
• Make sure all stairs and stair railings are in
  good repair and well lit?
• Make sure that the bathroom is safe. Is there a
  non-slip mat or surface in the tub and outside
  the tub? Are there grab rails for the bathtub
  and toilet? Would a bath seat and handheld
  shower be of benefit?
• Rearrange the furniture or change kitchen storage
  to reduce clutter and keep most commonly used
  items within easy reach

12
How do I talk to my loved one about this

• Approach the discussion from a positive, problem
  solving approach. Let them know that you value
  their independence and want to help them remain
  independent. Their health and safety is the
  concern.
• Ask questions and listen to what your family
  members say. Your purpose is not to threaten
  their control over their own life style, but to
  work with them to solve the problems that are
  threatening their safety and well-being.
• If your family members are not willing to listen
  to your concerns or if they dismiss your claims,
  you can take other measures. Call your family
  members doctor for guidance. Doctors can not
  discuss private information with you, but they
  may be glad to hear your insights. Some signs of
  medical problems are not easily spotted in a
  doctor's office, and your concerns may help the
  doctor understand what to look for in your
  parents on their next visit.
• Other relatives may also be able to offer help by
  managing some of the tasks that are a problem, or
  by talking to the family member about concerns
  they may have.

13
What you should know about your own stress?

• Take care of your own health. Just like on an
  airplane, where they tell you to put your own
  oxygen mask on before you help others, you will
  not be able to help others if you are not well
  yourself.

• Listen to your body. It will let you know
  something is wrong by raising your blood
  pressure, giving you headaches, or interfering
  with your sleep.

• Investigate products and services that can
  relieve the pressure. Services like personal
  alarm systems, housekeeping or personal care
  workers could make a difference in your level of
  personal anxiety.

14
What you should know about your own stress?
(contd)

• Be realistic about how much care you are able to
  give. Look at the demands in the other areas of
  your life.

• Talk to others who are also caregivers.
  Seniors centres or other community organizations
  may have support to help you manage stress and
  reduce isolation. Another benefit will be the
  practical advice that you can share.

• Dont let yourself be isolated from your
  friends and the people who support you. Remember
  to have some fun!

• Learn to ask for, and accept help.