Another The Nurse Mommy Cross post.
Disclosure: I was contacted by Mountainside
Medical Equipment to share some information about safety in the home (originally posted on The Nurse Mommy blog), medical supplies for the elderly, and provide suggestions of equipment that may help make home safer for
those at risk of falls and review their site, in no way does that change my opinion on the topic presented below. Being that my mother is 70 years old and I have
experience working with the elderly, I to share my thoughts on the topic, and
hopefully help some of you that may have elderly parents or grandparents that
are at risk of falls.
As an Occupational Therapist, I've worked in a few different areas of practice. Currently, I work mainly with the pediatric population, but occasionally I will work with adult patients. I’ve had referrals for people who are under the state of Arizona’s Division for Developmental Disabilities who aren’t children; they’ve been a part of the program for a majority of their lives. As people with disabilities age, their needs change, their bodies change, even their caregivers’ needs change. They need to be able to safely care for the person, so they can live in their home, as long as possible.
Before my current position, I worked for a Physical Rehabilitation facility and an Acute Care Hospital. The Physical Rehabilitation facility emphasized helping people return to their highest possible level of function, and most importantly, returning to their home or a family member’s home. The Acute Care Hospital was a regional hospital that took in a lot of people from smaller rural hospitals that couldn't provide their needed level of care. It also had a large Orthopedic unit, with lots of joint replacements and shoulder surgeries, as well as a well-known Cardiac program, doing all kinds of cool open heart surgeries.
As an Occupational Therapist, I've worked in a few different areas of practice. Currently, I work mainly with the pediatric population, but occasionally I will work with adult patients. I’ve had referrals for people who are under the state of Arizona’s Division for Developmental Disabilities who aren’t children; they’ve been a part of the program for a majority of their lives. As people with disabilities age, their needs change, their bodies change, even their caregivers’ needs change. They need to be able to safely care for the person, so they can live in their home, as long as possible.
Before my current position, I worked for a Physical Rehabilitation facility and an Acute Care Hospital. The Physical Rehabilitation facility emphasized helping people return to their highest possible level of function, and most importantly, returning to their home or a family member’s home. The Acute Care Hospital was a regional hospital that took in a lot of people from smaller rural hospitals that couldn't provide their needed level of care. It also had a large Orthopedic unit, with lots of joint replacements and shoulder surgeries, as well as a well-known Cardiac program, doing all kinds of cool open heart surgeries.
Did you know that 1 in3 people ages 65+ have falls? Falls are one of the leading causes for
hospitalization/emergency room visits in people over 65 years of age- and this
is something that can and should be prevented at all costs! Also, having a frank discussion about safety prior to getting hurt is another way to address
possible equipment needs and prevent injuries and hospitalization.
Continue reading... HERE
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