Elderly Enemies: Falls and Medications
At Home Care Book, we provide assistance with daily activities and fall prevention so our elderly clients can continue to live independently in their own home. This is sometimes referred to as “aging in place.”
To age in place is not as easy as it sounds. According to The United States of Aging Survey conducted in 2012, “nearly two in 10 Americans aged 70 and older say they either can’t live independently and accomplish daily tasks without assistance from caregivers or community resources or find it difficult to do so.”
Home Care Book provides an array of services: cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting, transportation, medication reminders, companionship, light housekeeping assistance as well as other activities of daily living. Our services will help you get through your day and/or night in your home environment.
Two major reasons seniors are unable to remain independent are fall risks and medication adherence. Therefore, it’s no surprise a majority of our senior clients utilize Home Care Book services to mitigate fall risks and adhere to medication requirements. The nationwide statistics on falls and medication adherence as it relates to seniors are quite alarming.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three people 65 and older falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again. Home Care Book provides assistance with activities of daily living in order to mitigate the risk of falling. According to the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Trauma–Injury, Infection and Critical Care, one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
In our free in-person agency assessment we identify potential fall risks throughout your home environment. We may make recommendations to roll up a rug that is a tripping hazard or put grab bars in the shower. Home Care Book caregivers are Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) and have experience in the hospital, rehab or other medical settings. They are properly trained in fall prevention and how to safely transfer patients.
According to the American College of Preventive Medicine, about twenty to fifty percent of patients are non-adherent to medical therapy. Further, people with chronic conditions only take about half of their prescribed medicine.
Gap Between a Written Prescription and Actual Medication Use
[Source: National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Pharmacies: Improving Health, Reducing Costs, July 2010. Based on IMS Health data]
Home Care Book does not administer medication but we do provide medication reminders. For example, we remind our diabetic clients to take their blood sugar and insulin. One of client’s doctor reduced the insulin requirements due to our client’s regular and consistent medication.
Fall risks and medication reminders are two main reasons seniors need home care services. However, every one of our clients is unique. We would love to learn more about your needs. Please give us a call today. 214-377-0711