I live at home with my mom and sister. Mom is 87 but still very mobile in the sense that she's still a fast walker. However, as she's gotten older she's more distracted now and has fallen 3 times in the last 6 months.
We asked her if we could put a video camera in her room, she said no, though she was open to wearing a life alert type bracelet. I looked up some of those bracelets, and it seems they notify the medical alert company if you press the button on the bracelet.
We don't need that because at least one person will be in the house with her at all times. Does anyone know if there's an alert type of bracelet that makes a noise, or notifies a smartphone or something like that? Or maybe I'm thinking of this wrong and there's a better way to do all of this? Thank you for any info.
Have her gait diagnosed.
Www.Shesbirdie.com
There are things that can be done to help minimize the falls.
Using a walker PROPERLY and EACH time it is needed.
Moving clutter that can be a trip hazard
Removing carpet and area rugs.
Sit down and have a conversation with mom. Something like this.
Mom, we are concerned that you have fallen a few times in the past months.
Can we ask the doctor to order an assessment by a physical therapist so that we can minimize the risk?
Mom, because of the falls you have had, luckily none were serious where you were hurt but that might happen. We need to know what you want to happen IF we find that you have fallen and we need to call 911. Do you want surgery and go to rehab? Who can make that decision for you if you can not make it yourself? We need to get those papers signed so that legally (you or sis) can make decisions. Do you want CPR? Do you want a feeding tube? Do you want to be intubated?
Hard discussion I know but this might jolt her into realizing that a fall can be very serious and life changing if not life ending.
And her doctor needs to be made aware of the number of falls she has had.
Falls prevention strategies are about removing or minimising the risks you can & adding in safety features.
A starting point can be;
* medical check for BP + help identify any other medical reason for falls
* PT assessment + balance exercises, possible walking aide
Around the home;
* removing risky footwear
* removing rugs that slip
* consider an OT home visit/assessment for grab bars or other handles near toilet
I just must mention a friend's elderly Mother, a leopard print lovin', high heeled fluffy slipper wearing glamour-gal 😜. Eventually accepted the change to flat footwear..
I mention that as it's best if Mom is part of her own fall prevention plan. If people don't agree, they can rebel. Ignore the walking stick, ignore the handrails, step over the fall alarm mat & cause themselves more harm.
I'm also commenting on your perception that your mom is falling because "she's more distracted now and has fallen 3 times in the last 6 months."
Seniors begin falling for many reasons:
- they start to shuffle more (shuffling is not only a result of losing strength and increased stiffness but a certain type of shuffle can also can be a symptom of dementia)
- they lose their balance due to inner ear problems, vertigo, infection, etc.
- blood pressure issues that cause light-headedness
- items on the floor that are now tripping dangers, like throw rugs, high thresholds, etc..;
- types of shoeware that are less appropriate for seniors
Not an exhaustive list. Sometimes seniors fall due to impaired cognition and memory (they don't recognize their limitations or forget they have them). I'm not sure what "distracted" means in your Mom's instance.
My 92-yr old Mother fell in her home for 2nd time just last week. She blamed it on her slippers but I wasn't there when it happened so can't know for sure. We changed her footwear as a solution.