Though they are often consulted in the aftermath of a fall, healthcare professionals can be instrumental in fall prevention. They can all be a part of preventing you or your loved one from suffering a setback.
Why Are Regular Doctor’s Visits Important?
A doctor will assess a senior’s risk of falling and together, they can come up with a fall prevention plan. The doctor can assess muscle strength and run tests for health conditions. Falls caused by cardiovascular problems have a higher mortality rate so it’s important to get examined often. Some conditions can fail to present symptoms until after they have caused a dangerous fall. Speak to a doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing:
- fluttering in the chest
- an irregular heartbeat
- other heart-related symptoms
A checkup is also a good time to bring up problems with going to the bathroom. Going often raises the chance of falling due to low-light conditions at night. Some try to prevent this by limiting their fluids but this can increase the risk of falling. Dehydration can cause low blood pressure, leading to fainting.
How Can an Optometrist Prevent a Fall?
Adults 65 and older should have their eyes checked at least once a year. An eye doctor can check for any potential health risks or conditions (like glaucoma or cataracts) that may increase the risk of falling. Early identification and treatment is key. Make sure to book regular appointments for yourself or the senior in your life.
What About a Pharmacist?
Seniors should go over their medication with a pharmacist as part of a fall prevention plan. Some medications increase the risk of falling or cause complications that may occur after a fall. Be sure to mention medications that affect vision or cause dizziness, drowsiness, or muscle weakness. Write down all medications (especially blood thinners) and the way the patient is taking them. Then, a pharmacist can identify any dangerous drug mixes, mistakes in following prescriptions or negative side effects that may increase the risk of falling.
Ageing does not have to be a lonely process because there are many people around to support seniors. If you or a loved one needs an in-home system with automatic fall detection, visit your local Tri-ed Distributor or our website.
