Mother Has Fallen
That was the message I received one morning as my clinic hours began. It shocked me. My mother was in excellent health. She still exercised three days a week including weights, worked for the auxiliary at the hospital one day a week and at the cancer center one day a week along with her busy Sunday school class schedule. Not six months prior I had tested her balance and gait and found her score to be remarkable, especially for her age of 87. I knew she was in good shape but “wow” did she ever blow that test out of the water!
Her fall resulted in a fractured pelvis, but no surgery was required. She was walking with a walker in a week and went on to a full recovery. However, she hit her head when she fell and experienced memory loss, similar to an Alzheimer’s patient. THAT was the most difficult because my mother had always been sharp mentally.
September 22 is Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Annual recognition of the day is to raise awareness about how to prevent fall related injuries among older adults. Perhaps you have been asked during an exam with your doctor or when you have been sent for certain tests or x-rays if you have fallen in the past year. Why? Because falls present a real and growing risk to older adults health and independence and even to their very lives. Statistics show that one out of every three persons over the age of 65 fall each year. According to the National Council on Aging, among people who fall, as many as one out of three suffer moderate to severe injuries including hip fractures and head trauma. These patients often require surgery followed by a period of convalescence in a nursing or rehabilitation facility. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and injury in people 65 and older.
Different things can contribute to one’s increased fall potential including the type of medications that you take, inner ear problems, visual problems, muscle weakness and walking pattern issues including balance as well as others
Other than discussing with your physician or Upperline Plus nurse practitioner any issues you have had with balance or falling, things you can do to help reduce the potential of falling include creating a safe environment in your home. Remove rugs from the floor, especially those on carpet. Clear the path-your normal walking paths should be clear of anything that could cause you to fall such as low lying furniture or items on the floor. Ensure that you have a light on in your home when you get up in the night to go to the bathroom and have an assist device such as a cane or walker to aid you with your balance when you do get up in the night.
Discuss with your family and physician regarding your fear of falling or how many times you have fallen. There are balance evaluation methods which can help predict your fall potential and address it through a program of therapy, exercise and gait training.
I test patients for balance and gait disturbances daily. I discuss creating a “safe” environment at home, therapy and bracing. There are braces which are light and easy to apply which can reduce your fall potential by as much is 60-70%. These braces are NOT metal, NOT heavy or cumbersome but easy to apply and comfortable. The main thing is they reduce the potential for falling and winding up in the emergency department or a nursing home.
If you are 65, unstable on your feet or have a fear of falling, get evaluated today. We want to help you PREVENT a fall that can forever change your life.
Schedule a visit with Dr. Warren at Upperline Health – Seymour to discuss fall risk and prevention by calling 765-222-5072.
About Walter Warren, DPM, CPED
Dr. Warren completed his undergraduate education at Union University Jackson, Tennessee in 1984. He received his doctorate of podiatric medicine degree at the Wm. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1988 and completed a post graduate Scholl certified surgical preceptorship in 1989.
Dr. Warren is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics & Primary Podiatric Medicine, and a Board Certified Pedorthist by the Board of Certification in Pedorthics.
Dr. Warren is affiliated with Columbus Specialty Surgery Center in Columbus, Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, and St. Vincent’s Jennings Hospital in North Vernon, IN.
Dr. Warren opened Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Center in 1990. His wife, Jan, and their two children live in Seymour. Dr. Warren enjoys spending time outdoors and with family & friends. He has participated in triathlons since 1999.
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