One in four older people fall each year. It’s a scary experience, one that can scar someone both physically and mentally. What’s worse is that if someone falls once, they double their chances of falling again.
This is why someone falling needs to be taken seriously. In some of the worst cases, falls even can be fatal.
So how does one care for themselves or another if they’ve fallen? And how can they prevent it from happening again? The professionals from South Orange Rehabilitation and Wellness have a few ideas.
Recovery
One of the main issues that we professionals deal with when it comes to older people falling is that a lot of them won’t tell people when they’ve fallen. It can be an embarrassing situation for them or something they just don’t want to deal with.
If you’ve fallen, you need to tell someone right away. And if you have a loved one who is of the older ages, you need to make sure they understand that falling is no laughing matter.
Once the person has notified their physician that they have fallen, steps can be taken to start a recovery process, one that needs to be both mental and physical.
The first thing that will need to happen is an understanding of what could have caused the fall. This will include tests such as strength and mobility, X-rays, blood work and anything else a physician believes will help sort out the problem.
From there a physician will help the patient understand why they fell and make sure there are no broken bones or hidden problems from the fall. From this point, the person now can move on to preventing the fall from happening again.
Prevention
Some of the reasons people fall can be fixed by switching medications or starting medications for newfound issues such as diabetes or an iron deficiency. Others, however, most likely have to do with a lack of ability in the older body.
It’s common as you grow older not to have the same abilities as you had when you were younger. Your bones become weaker, and your muscles aren’t as strong as they were before.
This is why physical therapy is one of the main ways to help older adults recover but also help in the prevention of a fall happening again. Here’s how:
- Increases Strength: A fall can happen because an older adult doesn’t have the ability to hold themselves up, pull themselves up or hold onto something. Physical therapy can help them regain strength, which can be helpful for both recoveries of a broken bone and the prevention of a future fall.
- Increases Mobility: Some falls happen because mobility, such as bending over or putting things away, isn’t what it used to be. Physical therapy helps older adults be able to do these simple tasks more efficiently, reducing their chances of another fall.
- Increases Flexibility: Being more flexible always will be a positive no matter what age someone is. It helps the body be more fluid in its movements from bending down, reaching out or pushing against something.
And the most important reason physical therapy is so helpful:
- More Confidence: Falls can make older adults feel out of control of their own bodies and scared to live life the way they used to before the fall. That is common and perfectly normal. Physical therapy is known to give older adults that control back, with them being able to visualize themselves able to do daily activities in a controlled and safe environment where they know if something happens, a professional will be there to help. That way when they’re alone, they know they have control over their body.
Reach Out Today
If you or someone you know has fallen recently and are looking for professionals who can help with recovery and prevent falls from happening, reach out to South Orange Rehabilitation and Wellness today.
Our services provide each of our clients with a safe space to voice concerns and learn about their bodies in ways they haven’t before. We work with our clients to customize a plan that’s right for them that will allow them to increase strength, mobility and flexibility.
Call us, or go online to schedule an appointment. Don’t wait. Everyone should feel secure in their bodies.
