When a resident falls, can’t sleep, or has ongoing events, what is your medical plan of action?
They say it takes a team to raise a village, and most teams in a nursing home or assisted living facility work tirelessly to ensure their residents are healthy, happy and free from any event that might cause them harm. So what happens when that does occur? What is your plan of action to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
According to the CDC, about 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year from fall-related injuries and those who survive frequently sustain injuries that result in permanent disability and reduced quality of life.
How big is the problem?
- More than 1.4 million people 65 and older live in nursing homes. If current rates continue, by 2030 this number will rise to about 3 million.
- About 5% of adults 65 and older live in nursing homes, but nursing home residents account for about 20% of deaths from falls in this age group.
- Each year, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls. Many falls go unreported.
- Between half and three-quarters of nursing home residents fall each year. That’s twice the rate of falls among older adults living in the community.
- Patients often fall more than once. The average is 2.6 falls per person per year.
- About 35% of fall injuries occur among residents who cannot walk.
Medication Management and Falls:
Medications can increase the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, are of particular concern.
Fall prevention in nursing homes presents multiple challenges. It requires a combination of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and environmental changes. Fall prevention interventions can be implemented at the organizational, staff or patient levels. The most effective interventions address multiple factors or use a multidisciplinary team. ~Read entire article at cdc.gov
Resources that are available:
Pharmacogenetic testing aligns current and future medications with each persons unique genetic profile. This simple swab of the cheek can help improve efficiencies and reduce adverse effects.
PGx Medical is the trusted and experienced resource for the implementation of pharmacogenetics in the field of aging services. For questions or to request information on pharmacogenetic testing, contact PGx Medical at info@pgxmed.com or call 405-509-5112.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention