Tips for Preventing People Living with Dementia from Falling Out of Bed People who are living with dementia are prone to falling out of bed. In fact, 28% of severe falls in memory care communities happen when a resident is rolling out of bed or transferring to or from a bed. There are a number …
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. Fall prevention exercises that focus on balance and strength training can reduce the risk of falling. These fall prevention exercises are especially important for those living with dementia because they fall four times as often as adults without dementia. While they may have difficulty learning new activities, those living with …
There has been a staggering 20% increase in falls for residents in memory care communities since social distancing and shelter and place orders went into effect. Depending on the specific restrictions in place around the country, many occupational therapists and other health care providers are not able to enter assisted living or memory care communities. …
Adults living with dementia in assisted living and skilled nursing communities fall four times per year on average — nearly twice as often as those without dementia. An estimated 80% of falls in memory care communities are unwitnessed. Since every unwitnessed fall could result in a head injury, care staff often must call emergency services. …
Emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions can be extremely traumatic for people living with dementia. Imagine the lights, sounds, unfamiliar people, sense of urgency, and not being able to explain how you are feeling or understand why you are there. Compared with other older adults, older people who are living with dementia have: Three …
Download the Infographic Since social distancing and shelter and place orders went into effect, there has been a staggering 20% increase in falls for residents in memory care communities. It is important to keep residents safe, but these necessary precautions lead to spending more time alone and unsupervised in their rooms. Avoiding unnecessary EMS or …
Continue reading “7 Ways to Prevent Falls in Memory Care During COVID-19 Pandemic”
Chest pains, stroke symptoms, injuries, and accidents are all reasons to rush to the emergency room (ER). The reasons become a bit more complicated when it comes to people living with dementia. Those living with dementia often cannot explain what is bothering them, describe the source of pain or answer questions about how they are …
Continue reading “Top Reasons People Living with Dementia Are Rushed to ER”
I would lower myself slowly from my bed and scoot myself across the room to my shoes and attempt to put them on. Then, I would need to wait for someone to assist me up and will remain on ground until they come. This is what happens to 30% of residents in memory care. They …
I had the pleasure of attending the Pioneer Network Annual Conference in Louisville recently along with a SafelyYou colleague. The Pioneer Network describes itself as “the national leader of the culture change movement, helping care providers to transition away from a medical, institutional model of elder care to one that is life affirming, satisfying, humane …
Continue reading “Person-Centered Care Ideals and Practicality in Senior Living”
What are the most common suggestions for older Americans who want to lower their risk of falling? Take an exercise or balance-building class. Go see your eye doctor. Stop taking sleep medications. Eliminate trip hazards and install grab bars in the bathroom. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that …
