Health Resource Solutions

Fall Prevention Tips To Consider

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 07:50:52 +0000

Fall Prevention Tips

Statistics indicate that one out of three seniors will need to spend an extensive amount of time in a recovery program as a result of an accident that occurred when they fall. As a matter of fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proclaims that falls are the number cause of injuries for the elderly, and is the number one reason why senior citizens end up in a recovery program.

In this posting we’ll take a look at several fall prevention tips to consider.

1. Do Not Wear Loose Clothing

Many elderly fall victims sustained an injury as a result of the fact that they tripped over loose clothing such as extra-long pants. Therefore, ensure that you opt for better fitting clothes that don’t drag on the ground.

2. Wear Shoes or Non-slip Socks

While it may be true that socks are comfortable to wear around the house, they present a slipping risk as well. As such, if you usually walk around the house in socks, consider the possibility of wearing a pair of shoes or sandals. Alternatively, it’s also worth noting that you can utilize non-slip socks, which have grips on the soles of the feet that can help to prevent slipping.

3. Use Non-Slip Mats

Certain areas of the house can prove to be extremely dangerous once they become wet. Some prime examples include kitchen floors, porches, showers and bathtubs. However, by utilizing an assortment of nonslip mats it can help to prevent a fall from occurring on a wet surface.

4. Install Handrails/Grab Bars

These safety devices can prove to be especially useful when it comes to getting on/off the toilet, going up/down the stairs or stepping in/out the bathtub without hurting yourself. In addition to installing grab bars and handrails in the aforementioned areas, it’s highly recommended that you install them along the stairways and hallways as well.

5. Removing Potential Hazards

Certain types of faulty fixtures within your home can prove to be potentially hazardous to your health. If left unchecked, these faulty fixtures can cause a fall-related injury further down the line. Therefore,examine each room and look for tripping hazards such as slippery throw rugs, items within the hallway or loose carpets for example.

6. Move More Cautiously

Statistics demonstrate that many people fall at home as a result of moving too quickly from a sitting to standing position or vice versa. Therefore, ensure that you pause after going from sitting to standing and from lying down to sitting up.

Making Your Home Safe for Your Elderly Loved One

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 07:36:36 +0000

Making Your Home Safe

If you have an elderly loved one at home, then you probably are concerned with senior safety. Statistics show that falls are today the leading cause of injury deaths in elderly persons. Besides fall risk, there are many other safety issues that you certainly need to beware of. In this article, you will learn how to identify and reduce many of these risks so as to be able to keep not only your elderly loved one safer but also your family.

1) Uneven Flooring
Elderly people usually have difficulty in perceiving depth, muscle control as well as balance. This normally results in hesitation walking, an unsteady walk and sometimes dizziness. To make walking as safe and easy as possible for them, ensure all floors in and around the home are level as well as sturdy. Carpets can be your safest choice. They should be tacked down and secured in place with a mounting tape. If possible, put rubber mats and grip guards on stair treads and around wet areas, including the floor space in front of the kitchen sink, the bathroom floor, among other places.

2) Hazardous Showers and Bathtubs
Did you know that 4 out of 5 serious bathroom injuries are as a result of a fall? The biggest culprits are falls in the shower and bathtub. To ensure senior safety and the safety of other family members, take the following precautions:

Think about installing an elderly-friendly option in the bathroom such as a walk-in tub or barrier free shower.

Put rubber mats or any other non-slip aids on the bathroom floor.
Install grab bars in the toilet and bathroom.
Provide good bathroom lighting

Elderly Healthcare Program

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 09:26:42 +0000

Elderly Healthcare

Population aging is one among the most discussed worldwide phenomena in the current century. Countries with a hefty population have a huge number of people currently aged more than 60 years. The population in excess of the age of 60 years has increased to three times during the last 50 years and will persistently enhance in the near future.

The aged process is considered a product of demographic change or demographic success with a drop in both birth and death rates and subsequent increase in life expectation at birth and older ages. The life expectancy at birth during the period 2006-2011 was 65.65 in case of males and 67.22 in case of females, whereas the estimated life expectancy of males at birth during the period 2011-2016 will be 67.04 years and 68.8 years in case of female life expectancy.

Regardless of socio-economic condition, the non-communicable infections, requiring huge quantum of social care and healthcare are more common during the old age. Disabilities due to these non-communicable infections are very common that influences the activities of everyday living. The administration of these chronic infections is extremely costly, as well, particularly for joint replacements, cancer treatment, neurosurgical procedures, heart surgery, etc., thus making it from the pocket of elderly people.

A recent survey on older people reports that the occurrence and prevalence of ailments as well as healthcare rates are much higher in elder individuals than the total populace. The survey also reveals that about 8% of older people were limited to their bed or home. It is likely that many older individuals take ill health during their stride as a measurement of usual or normal aging. This remark has a lot of implication, as self-professed health status is a vital indicator of healthcare service utilization and fulfillment to treatment interventions.

However, extremely little effort has been taken to develop a model of social care and healthcare in tune with the changing necessity and time. The urbanized world has evolved several models for elderly healthcare, such as health insurance, nursing home care, etc. When no such model for elderly exists in a country, it may be a chance for modernism in the health structure development, though it is a main challenge. The needs for healthcare of the elderly are different in each country, as well. Some countries still have family as the principal caregiver to the elderly and the possibility for training this provides a lot of support to the program. Currently, in some countries, the elderly are offered healthcare by the common healthcare delivery structure.

As the aged population is possible to increase at some point, and there is a definite change in the illness pattern, that is, from infectious to non-infectious, it is high time that the healthcare scheme gears itself to the increasing health requirements of the elderly in a most favorable and inclusive manner. There is a specific necessity to highlight the fact that illness and disability are not an element of old age and necessary support should be sought to deal with the health issues. The idea of Active and Healthy aging has to be promoted among the aged that includes precautionary, primitive, remedial and rehabilitative factors of health.

A healthcare program is a good and new plan to look after a rapid ageing population. It needs more concentration in the execution and organization, in order that the program would not only be on document like several other programs of the nation.