If you have an aging parent, grandparent, or neighbor in your life, helping them reduce their risk of falling is essential to quality of life. Assessing and reducing their fall risk is a great way to help them stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions, loss of independence, and injury-related deaths. Even the fear of falling impacts our elderly loved ones. According to the National Council on Aging, “Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.”
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk of falling. Even people of advanced age can improve their balance markedly with the right exercise program or physical therapy. Consider talking to your doctor.
There are also steps you can take in the home, where 60% of falls occur.
For instance:
- Turn on the lights before entering a room and replace burned-out bulbs immediately.
- Avoid throw-rugs. Use non-skid rugs or add double-sided tape to rugs, making sure they are flat and tacked down at the edges.
- Use night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
- Use grab bars and non-slip strips or mats in the bathtub or shower.
- Keep walkways clear of electrical cords, oxygen tubes, and clutter.
- Coil or tape cords next to the wall.
The National Council on Aging has great information for preventing falls for yourself or a loved one in your care. Falls Prevention for Older Adults (ncoa.org)
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Hospice Care Plus was founded as a non-profit organization to support the quality of life of its communities through hospice, palliative, and bereavement care programs. The organization serves Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties and owns and operates the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Relying on contributions from individuals and groups, all care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Make a gift, explore career and volunteer opportunities, or call 859-986-1500 to learn more.
Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.
Our Service Area:
Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.
Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.
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National Hospice Month
In honor of National Hospice Booth, Hospice Care Plus is hosting multiple information booths in Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties. The booths will feature helpful resources on advance care planning and related documents, hospice care, palliative care, family caregiver workshops, and more. Tiffani Wright, Community Liaison at Hospice Care Plus, will be…
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Celebrate NYE with the Roaring 20s
Madison Countians have a new option for ringing in the new year. On December 31, Churchill’s in Berea will host the first-ever Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve party. The event begins at 9 p.m. in Churchill’s beautiful event space and continues through 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Tickets are $75 each and are available…
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Local Family Inspires Veteran Memorial
On Veterans Day 2019, Hospice Care Plus will dedicate a Veterans Memorial Wall at our Compassionate Care Center. The dedication will take place Monday, November 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Hospice Care Plus Compassionate Care Center. The public is invited to attend. The Veterans Memorial Wall was inspired by Richmond’s Bagby family. After their…
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Volunteer Training Sept. 14!
Hospice Care Plus will host a training for new volunteers on Saturday, September 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. The training is for anyone with an interest in supporting non-profit hospice, palliative, and bereavement care through a variety of patient care or administrative roles. The training is open…