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Fall Risk

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:05:05 GMT

Between 30 and 40 percent of community-dwelling people over the age of 65 years, and 50 percent of those in long-term facilities, fall each year.

Major injuries result from 5 percent of falls in the community and 10 percent of falls in institutions.

Risk factors

Multiple risk factors have been identified, including

past history of a fall,
lower-extremity weakness,
age,
female sex,
cognitive impairment,
balance problems,
psychotropic drug use,
arthritis,
history of stroke,
orthostatic hypotension,
dizziness,
anemia.

Medication use is one of the most readily modifiable fall risks. Multiple medications of any type, and psychotropic drugs in particular, are associated with increased falls; benzodiazepine dose is more strongly correlated with risk.

Falls risk assessment –

All older clients should be asked at least once yearly about falls. Further evaluation is indicated for patients who present with a fall or have a history of recurrent falls.

Evaluation –

Evaluation for those who have sustained a fall should include postural vital signs that is blood pressure monitoring when sitting down and the raising from a seated position, assessment of visual acuity, hearing, and muscle function.

Diagnostic testing may include a complete blood count (CBC), serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, glucose level, and vitamin D.

Holter monitoring, echocardiograms, and radiologic studies are indicated only when suggested by findings on history of exam. Assessment of carotid sinus sensitivity may be indicated in people with unexplained multiple falls.

Between 30 and 40 percent of community-dwelling people over the age of 65 years, and 50 percent of those in long-term facilities, fall each year.

Major injuries result from 5 percent of falls in the community and 10 percent of falls in institutions.

Risk factors

Multiple risk factors have been identified, including

past history of a fall,
lower-extremity weakness,
age,
female sex,
cognitive impairment,
balance problems,
psychotropic drug use,
arthritis,
history of stroke,
orthostatic hypotension,
dizziness,
anemia.

Falls risk assessment –

All older clients should be asked at least once yearly about falls. Further evaluation is indicated for patients who present with a fall or have a history of recurrent falls.

Evaluation –

Diagnostic testing may include a complete blood count (CBC), serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, glucose level, and vitamin D.

Are some medicines unsafe for older people?

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 17:05:05 GMT

Yes, some medicines that are safe for younger adults are not safe for older adults.

That's because as people get older, unwanted or harmful side effects from certain medicines become more common. Plus, the medicines last longer in the body.

The next time you see your doctor or nurse, put all the medicines you take into a bag and bring them with you. Make sure you include:

All your prescription medicines
All the non-prescription medicines you take, including vitamins and medicines such as Tylenol or Advil
Any herbal or "natural" products you take

Yes, some medicines that are safe for younger adults are not safe for older adults.

That's because as people get older, unwanted or harmful side effects from certain medicines become more common. Plus, the medicines last longer in the body.

The next time you see your doctor or nurse, put all the medicines you take into a bag and bring them with you. Make sure you include:

All your prescription medicines
All the non-prescription medicines you take, including vitamins and medicines such as Tylenol or Advil
Any herbal or "natural" products you take

During your visit:

Ask if you should still be taking all of the medicines you currently take. People sometimes end up taking more medicines than they really need.
Ask whether the combination of medicines you take could cause a problem or "drug interaction." A drug interaction is when a medicine, food, or supplement changes the effects of another medicine.
Tell your doctor or nurse about any symptoms you are having that you think are due to one of your medicines. They might be able to lower your dose, switch you to a different medicine, or deal with the symptoms in other ways.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you can't afford your medicines. They might be able to switch you to a less expensive medicine or suggest other solutions.

During your visit:

Ask if you should still be taking all of the medicines you currently take. People sometimes end up taking more medicines than they really need.
Ask whether the combination of medicines you take could cause a problem or "drug interaction." A drug interaction is when a medicine, food, or supplement changes the effects of another medicine.

Tell your doctor or nurse about any symptoms you are having that you think are due to one of your medicines. They might be able to lower your dose, switch you to a different medicine, or deal with the symptoms in other ways.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you can't afford your medicines. They might be able to switch you to a less expensive medicine or suggest other solutions.

Sometimes 2 medicines that are safe to take by themselves are actually unsafe to take together.

When certain medicines are taken together, they can cause serious side effects or other problems.

This can happen not just when 2 medicines are combined, but also when a medicine is combined with a specific food, or an herbal drug.

Here are some examples:

Warfarin + ginkgo biloba –

The prescription medicine warfarin helps keep blood clots from forming. People take it to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and other problems.

Ginkgo biloba is an herbal drug that is popular in the US. People take it for lots of reasons, including the hope that it will keep them mentally sharp. But when the 2 drugs are taken together, they can seriously increase the risk of bleeding.

Saint John's wort + antidepressants –

The herbal drug Saint John's wort can help with mild forms of depression. But people sometimes take it when they're already taking an antidepressant. This combination can have dangerous consequences. It can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome, which is life-threatening.

Side Effects

People of all ages can have side effects from medicines, but older people are more likely to have some side effects.

For example, older people are more likely to feel sleepy, confused, dizzy, or unsteady with certain medicines.

This can be especially dangerous because it increases the chances of falling.

If you tend to feel sleepy, confused, dizzy, or unsteady, tell your doctor or nurse. Your medicines might or might not be the reason for your symptoms.

Either way, it's important for your doctor or nurse to know about them.

And if the symptoms are side effects of your medicines, your doctor or nurse might be able to lower your dose, switch you to a different medicine, or offer another solution.

A common side effect in older men is trouble urinating.

A number of different medicines can cause this side effect, including allergy medicines or sleeping pills.

Talk to your doctor if you start a new medicine and find you have trouble starting the flow of urine, or your urine stream is weaker than it used to be.

Sometimes 2 medicines that are safe to take by themselves are actually unsafe to take together.

When certain medicines are taken together, they can cause serious side effects or other problems.

This can happen not just when 2 medicines are combined, but also when a medicine is combined with a specific food, or an herbal drug.

Here are some examples:

Warfarin + ginkgo biloba –

The prescription medicine warfarin helps keep blood clots from forming. People take it to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and other problems.

Saint John's wort + antidepressants –

Side Effects

People of all ages can have side effects from medicines, but older people are more likely to have some side effects.

For example, older people are more likely to feel sleepy, confused, dizzy, or unsteady with certain medicines.

This can be especially dangerous because it increases the chances of falling.

If you tend to feel sleepy, confused, dizzy, or unsteady, tell your doctor or nurse. Your medicines might or might not be the reason for your symptoms.

Either way, it's important for your doctor or nurse to know about them.

And if the symptoms are side effects of your medicines, your doctor or nurse might be able to lower your dose, switch you to a different medicine, or offer another solution.

A common side effect in older men is trouble urinating.

A number of different medicines can cause this side effect, including allergy medicines or sleeping pills.

Talk to your doctor if you start a new medicine and find you have trouble starting the flow of urine, or your urine stream is weaker than it used to be.

Ways to protect yourself

To lower the chances that you'll have problems related to the medicines you take, follow these steps:

Make sure that your main doctor, and any other doctor or nurse who prescribes medicines for you knows about all of the medicines you take.
This includes any over the counter or herbal medicines you use on a regular basis.
Ask your doctor or nurse to go over all your medicines with you at least once a year.
Keep a list of all the medicines you take that includes the dose you take, your reason for taking it, and the doctor or nurse who prescribed it.
Anytime your doctor or nurse puts you on a new medicine, ask: Why am I taking this medicine?

Ways to protect yourself

To lower the chances that you'll have problems related to the medicines you take, follow these steps:

Make sure that your main doctor, and any other doctor or nurse who prescribes medicines for you knows about all of the medicines you take.
This includes any over the counter or herbal medicines you use on a regular basis.

Ask your doctor or nurse to go over all your medicines with you at least once a year.
Keep a list of all the medicines you take that includes the dose you take, your reason for taking it, and the doctor or nurse who prescribed it.
Anytime your doctor or nurse puts you on a new medicine, ask: Why am I taking this medicine?

What are the common problems to watch out for?
What should I do if they happen?
When should I stop this medicine?
Can I take this medicine with the other medicines on my list?
What will happen if I don't take this medicine?
When you pick up a new prescription, ask your pharmacist if there are foods, supplements, or other medicines that you should avoid while taking your medicine.
Your pharmacist is a great resource. Ask them any questions you might have about your medicines.
Keep medicines in their original containers and read the instructions that come with them.

Please contact us if you need more information on medication reminders, a homemaker, or other home care professionals.

What are the common problems to watch out for?
What should I do if they happen?
When should I stop this medicine?
Can I take this medicine with the other medicines on my list?
What will happen if I don't take this medicine?
When you pick up a new prescription, ask your pharmacist if there are foods, supplements, or other medicines that you should avoid while taking your medicine.
Your pharmacist is a great resource. Ask them any questions you might have about your medicines.
Keep medicines in their original containers and read the instructions that come with them.

Please contact us if you need more information on medication reminders, a homemaker, or other home care professionals.

Controlling Blood Pressure

Sat, 21 May 2022 17:05:05 GMT

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries.

Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats your heart is pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure.

When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

119/79 or lower is normal blood pressure
140/90 or higher is high blood pressure
Between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number is called prehypertension
Prehypertension means you may end up with high blood pressure, unless you take steps to prevent it.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms which means you have no way of knowing that you have it.

High blood pressure can have serious consequences like stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.

You can control your blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure by healthy lifestyle habits like exercise and diet, and taking medicines prescribed by your doctor.

The DASH diet is effective in controlling and preventing high blood pressure.
DASH is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Hypertension is another name for High Blood Pressure.

The DASH diet includes-

Vegetables, fruits, fat free or low-fat dairy.
Whole grains fish poultry, beans seeds nuts and vegetable oils
LIMIT Sodium (Salt), sweets, carbonated sweet drinks, and red meat

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries.

Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats your heart is pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure.

When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

119/79 or lower is normal blood pressure
140/90 or higher is high blood pressure
Between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number is called prehypertension
Prehypertension means you may end up with high blood pressure, unless you take steps to prevent it.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms which means you have no way of knowing that you have it.

High blood pressure can have serious consequences like stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.

You can control your blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure by healthy lifestyle habits like exercise and diet, and taking medicines prescribed by your doctor.

The DASH diet is effective in controlling and preventing high blood pressure.
DASH is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Hypertension is another name for High Blood Pressure.

The DASH diet includes-

Vegetables, fruits, fat free or low-fat dairy.
Whole grains fish poultry, beans seeds nuts and vegetable oils
LIMIT Sodium (Salt), sweets, carbonated sweet drinks, and red meat

What does my lifestyle have to do with my blood pressure?

The things you do, and the foods you eat, have a big effect on your blood pressure and your overall health. Following the right lifestyle can:

Lower your blood pressure or keep you from getting high blood pressure in the first place
Reduce your need for blood pressure medicines
Make medicines for high blood pressure work better if you do take them Lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, or develop kidney disease

What does my lifestyle have to do with my blood pressure?

The things you do, and the foods you eat, have a big effect on your blood pressure and your overall health. Following the right lifestyle can:

Lower your blood pressure or keep you from getting high blood pressure in the first place
Reduce your need for blood pressure medicines
Make medicines for high blood pressure work better if you do take them Lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, or develop kidney disease

Which lifestyle choices will help lower my blood pressure?

Here's what you can do:

Lose weight (if you are overweight)
Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and low in meats, sweets, and refined grains.
Eat less salt (sodium)
Do something active for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

If you have high blood pressure, it's also very important to quit smoking (if you smoke). Quitting smoking might not bring your blood pressure down. But it will lower the chances that you'll have a heart attack or stroke, and it will help you feel better and live longer.

Here's what you can do:

Lose weight (if you are overweight)
Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and low in meats, sweets, and refined grains.
Eat less salt (sodium)
Do something active for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

Please contact us if you need more information on medication reminders, a homemaker, or other home care professionals.