Caring for people who fall
Posted October 7, 2016
At some point in everyone’s life we become caregivers. Caregivers to our parents, caregivers to our children, caregivers to family, friends, neighbours or pets. Caregiving is a tough job. Especially when the person you are taking care falls. “Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again”. (“Important facts about falls”, CDC)
Where do you find help? How are you, the Caregiver, affected by a fall?
You are not alone! I have located three guides, from across the Country and an informative article for caregivers of persons who have falls. Check these out for suggestions and tips.
- Caregiver Information and Support: A program of the Saskatoon Council on Aging. Caregiver Resources [Internet]. [Place unknown]; 2015; [cited September 28, 2016]. Available from: http://www.saskatooncaregiver.ca/resources.html
(Great list of needed Resources. Number 2 on the list is about Fall Prevention. Second only to Healthy Aging).
- Alzheimer Society Calgary. Fall Prevention [Internet]. [Place unknown]; 2013; [cited September 28, 2016]. Available from: http://www.alzheimercalgary.ca/living-with-dementia/caring-for-people-with-dementia/falls-prevention
(A listing of Fall Prevention services from across Alberta and Canada).
- Senior and Healthy Aging Secretariat, Department of Social Development. Caregiver’s Guide: Practical Information for caregivers of older adults [Internet]. Senior and Aging Secretariat: Fredericton, NB; September 2011. 34p. Available from: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/Seniors/CaregiversGuide.pdf
(Practical informational booklet for caregivers in New Brunswick containing material on Skin, Foot and Nail Care, Physical Activity, Physical Environment and Fall Prevention).
- Dow B, Meyer C, Moore KJ, Hill KD. The impact of care recipient falls on caregivers. Aust Health Rev. 2013 May;37(2):152-7.
“There was a significant increase in caregiver burden after the first fall… caregivers reported that they had altered their usual routine after the fall, mainly not wanting to leave the care recipient alone… focus group discussions highlighted the need for constant vigilance of the care recipient, a lack of knowledge about support services and concerns related to utilising respite care”.
Falls among care recipients have a significant impact on carers, including an increased fear of falling… Falls are a significant problem for community-dwelling carers of older people, contributing to carer burden and impeding the carer's ability to undertake activities of daily living because of the perceived need for constant vigilance… Practitioners should ensure that carers are aware of evidence-based falls-prevention practices and services, group and individual exercise programs, home modifications and podiatry, that might assist to prevent falls…”