If you’re a caregiver for an older loved one, you know how hard it is to balance their need for dignity and independence with the reality of their physical and mental health. With increased age, decreased muscle mass, weaker joints, and reduced perception, falls become more likely, as well as more harmful when they occur.
However, as high-risk as your loved one might seem, there are ways to prevent falls with both external support from their environment as well as the possibility of functional strength training through physical therapy for those who are willing.
Fall prevention at home
Preventing falls in the elderly population is a major concern for caregivers of all kinds, but is challenging when trying to reduce the fall risks present in a person’s home. Specialty long-term care facilities are often designed from the ground up to minimize fall risks, among other benefits, but the home your loved one lives in likely doesn’t make this task easier.
The methods you’ve probably already heard about are effective in many cases, including taking fall precautions like:
- Decluttering walking spaces
- Widening traffic areas when possible
- Installing assistive devices like grab bars
- Using assistive walking devices when desired
- Installing or maintaining bright lighting for stair and walkway visibility
- Organizing most-used items in easy-to-reach areas
- Installing non-slip mats, strips, or runners in high-risk areas
As physical therapists for people of all ages, we understand that many of these DIY fall interventions may not be possible or effective given your circumstances. In both specialized facilities and at-home, physical or occupational therapy can be a way to keep your loved one physically active, strong, and balanced, all while reducing their risk of falls.
Fall prevention physical therapy plans
Falling may seem like a simple risk but there are always several factors at play, and therefore different strategies will be more effective in some cases than others.
For example, arthritis can make it painful to fully extend or bear weight on certain joints, making it difficult to remain standing when feeling tremendous knee pain. On the other hand, poor vision or sense of balance can cause falls when a person doesn’t know where they are exactly in space and trips or steps in the wrong place.
Because of this, a physical therapy plan can be highly effective when it is completely personalized for your loved one’s fall risk factors and most promising areas of improvement. By strengthening the fundamentals of balance, perception, and strength, we can help your loved one navigate any living situation with a reduced risk of falling.
And although our expertise can be most effective with in-person treatments, we understand not everyone has the reliable transportation, appointment-keeping skills, and living situation to make these happen regularly. We’re happy to offer virtual appointments or even in-home care whenever possible.
What to expect at a physical therapy appointment
Fall prevention physical therapy can take many forms. In general, we try to prioritize treatment that focuses on the following fundamentals of balance and fall intervention:
- Strength training
- Balance/gait training
- Functional movement conditioning
- Chronic pain relief
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Neuromuscular training (hand-eye coordination)
- Use of assistive devices
During an appointment, we will begin with an evaluation of the patient’s medical history, current concerns, and current abilities. From this baseline assessment, we’ll work to create a holistic, non-medicated treatment plan to prevent falls by addressing the most prevalent risk factors.
If you’re assisting a loved one as a caregiver, we will also make sure you understand the goals of treatment, exercises, movements, and any other advice we might recommend for your situation. We’ll keep open communication with you about progress, adjustments to the plan, and next steps.
Get personalized fall intervention plans today
Don’t let another day go by worrying about your loved one’s fall risk and what impact that kind of injury might have on their health. Whether it’s advice, referrals, or a professional fall prevention plan, our physical therapists are here for you. Find out how we might help in your specific situation by calling a clinic near you or requesting more information online today.
