People often ask me why I choose to specialize in the
prevention of falls among the elderly or why I am fascinated with the
effects of aging on the balance system.
Am I a physical therapist? Am I a personal fitness trainer? A
nurse? Did a family member fall? The answers are no, yes, no, yes
(respectively) but the reason I am passionate about fall prevention is
because that is my gift, my calling, from God.
Two
weeks ago, my 90 year-old grandmother fell and broke her collar bone.
She doesn't remember what caused her fall and was released with her left
arm in a sling. My uncle Jerry, a retired District Attorney with a
private practice, lives nearby and is watching her at her home. Like
most professionals with a family, he is not sure how to care for someone
after a fall. Like most adult children, he is unaware of factors that
can increase the risk of a fall.
Two days after my
grandmother returned home, she fell again. Luckily, Jerry was there
but the fact that she fell on "his watch" was upsetting to both him and
to my grandmother. She felt unsafe and he felt guilty, if not
incompetent, to care for his own mother. When my mom went to visit, she
immediately scheduled a family phone consultation with her daughther,
The Fall Prevention Lady.
Over
the speaker, I talked about what I know best; things that increase the
risk of a fall such as things you can change an the things you need to
be aware of, what I recommend talking to your doctor about, how to
reduce these risk factors and the types of exercises that can improve
balance and stability.
My uncle furiously took notes
and subsequently made necessary phone calls and doctor appointments.
After a review of medications, we discovered that my grandmother was
taking four prescriptions that significantly depressed her central
nervous system. Like many older adults, my grandmom likes her night
cap however the combination of four CNS depressants and alcohol
intensified confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, and thus, the risk of a
fall.
Modifications have been made to both her
medication management and home environment so now my grandmother can
concentrate on her recovery and my uncle can feel confident that he is
doing everything he can do to keep his mother safe. My uncle is a
brilliant man who is respected in his field but he had no idea how to
keep his mother safe after a fall. He is not alone; adult children
cannot be expected to know how to care for a parent who fell unless they
have an idea of things that cause falls and how to reduce that risk.
I had sent copies of my book,
The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention,
but most people are too busy to read about prevention until it's too
late. Don't delay! Read my book and use the information when
necessary. Or if you prefer a live conversation with an expert to help
deal with the after effects of a fall, I am available for family
consultations (for a fee). I am here to help.
Kelly Ward,
The Fall Prevention Lady
(916) 821-5715
Find my page on
Facebook: The Fall Prevention Lady
