Guardian Home Care is committed to helping seniors maintain an independent lifestyle at HOME.
There is no greater threat to a senior’s independence and quality of life than a fall! Falls are the leading cause of serious injury among seniors. More
than 16,000 people over the age of 65 die each year from injuries related to falls; almost 2 million others are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal
injuries from falls, and more than a fourth of these patients are hospitalized (CDC 2008).
Fall risk is a significant problem among the senior population. A senior at risk for falls may not demonstrate their symptoms, such as dizziness, while at a
doctor’s office, so it may not be apparent to the doctor that the senior is a fall risk candidate. Also, many variables are taken into account during a fall risk
assessment and the recommendations for treatment, and often those variables are more evident when the patient is in their home environment.
At Guardian Home Care, we have developed the Safe Life at Home Fall Prevention program to address the need to assist the senior population with the reduction of
their fall risk. The Fall Prevention program is an aggressive, therapy-based clinical program designed to reduce the likelihood of patient falls by treating the underlying cause of falls.
Tenets of the Safe Life at Home Fall Prevention Program
Guardian Home Care utilizes a systematic approach to identify and treat the underlying causes of fall risk using:
- Nationally recognized balance screening tests
- Patient-specific scorecard of clinical findings (no other Home Health Company has this)
- Education geared toward both the patient and caregiver
- Therapeutic exercises for improving strength, balance, and endurance
- Home environment safety assessment
- Suggestions for home environment modifications
- Medications review
- Vision evaluation and referral for correction
- Instruction on self-management of risk factors and disease process
- Interdisciplinary care and nutritional support
- Assessment of need for gait and safety assistive devices
Risk factors that may indicate the need for the Safe Life at Home Fall Prevention program:
- Dizziness or Vertigo
- Lack of sensation in feet or lower legs (Neuropathy)
- Muscle weakness
- Unsteady while standing or walking
- Taking more than three medications
- Suffered a fall in the last year or have fear of falling
- Over the age of 65
- Must stop while walking short distances
- Arthritis-related lower extremity joint problems
- Pain during daily activities
- Requires assistance device for walking
- Cardiovascular disorder
- Diabetic
- Parkinson’s disease
- Dehydration
- COPD
At Guardian Home Care we strive to ensure that our patients receive the highest quality clinical improvements in a safe home environment.
