Page 48 - March-2015-Life-in-Naples-Magazine

SAFETY
IS A COMMUNITY PROJECT
Step Smart Naples Program Rolls Out
by Sandra Lee Buxton
A Fall Prevention Coalition with representation from a
cross section of community leaders has been meeting
for months in order to formulate a safety awareness
program. Coalition members are moving forward making our
safety a priority and here’s why: Falls are not a normal part of
aging but they are a symptom of a problem and shockingly
most falls are preventable. Falls are the leading cause of trauma
injury and death, so it is important to determine the genius of
the fall. By doing so the problem can
be eliminated or the risk minimized.
One in three seniors fall each year,
half of those hospitalized die within
the year from complications of that
fall. Most falls occur in our homes
which we generally regard as our safe
haven and most are preventable.
There are three risk factors which combining alcohol with medication, poor selection of footwear
contribute to fall injury 1) Physical, and getting on a step stool or chair to accomplish a task. Items
2) Behavioral and 3) Environmental.
The Physical factors to name a few
are cardiovascular such as unstable blood pressure or even a
stroke. Visual and auditory deficits complicate safety and need
to be acknowledged. Neurological disorders such as Dementia,
Parkinson’s, and Neuropathy’s are significant as risk factors as
well.These disorders are usually accompanied by an unsteady gait
(walk) increasing the risk of a fall even more.The complications
from polypharmacy should not be minimized. Drugs with side
effects such as confusion, vertigo or drowsiness play havoc
when combined with memory disorders and processing issues.
It is also important that the primary care physician (PCP) be
aware of all medications that the individual is taking, especially
those prescribed by other doctors including specialists. Many
over the counter (OTC) drugs should not be taken unless the
PCP recommends them as they can be contraindicated with
some prescribed medications. During the annual physical ask
the PCP if there are any medications in your profile that can
safely be eliminated.
As a professional nurse, falls related to Behavioral factors
feel tragic since they are all preventable. Pride contributes to a
fair amount of injuries since the individual refuses to accept a
deficit and chooses not to use the recommended cane or walker.
If someone has experienced a fall and does not change habits or
the contributing factors then a second fall is inevitable. Those
that live a sedentary lifestyle lose strength and endurance which
moves towards an unsteady gait. Most individuals can do some
simple exercises especially walking or ask the PCP for a physical
therapy evaluation and get a personal plan. A good reminder is
to move slowly from a laying to standing position or surface to
surface in order to avoid a rapid blood pressure change. In other
words, from a lying position sit a moment before you stand and
stand a moment before you walk. Risky behaviors also include
that you use most frequently should be within arm’s length in
kitchen cupboards so that the temptation to climb is avoided.
Obtain assistance before repurposing cupboard space, it should
not be done when alone. Those with memory disorders are
especially challenging to work with related to poor processing
and lack of safety awareness. Hopefully they
have an advocate who can guide them with
their decisions which will be
ongoing since their disease
is progressive.
Environmental risk
factors occur within
our home
and the