Fall prevention and health education for the elderly

As the population ages, the health and quality of life of the elderly are receiving more and more attention from society. Unlike other age groups, the elderly are more prone to falls and fractures due to aging and disease. The recovery process is long, which brings a lot of inconvenience to individuals and families and also causes many complications. If we can be alert to the risk factors of falls, we can improve the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, fall prevention and health education are very important. [1]

1. Social problems caused by falls: 1) Significant decline in self-care ability 2) High rates of self-harm and mortality 3) Many complications from bed rest 4) High economic pressure 5) Heavy labor burden.

2. Causes of falls in the elderly:

2.1. Psychological factors: First, they do not admit that they are old. Second, they are afraid that others will say that they are old and useless, so they insist on taking care of themselves.

2.2. Physical factors: Decreased balance function. The explosive power and endurance of skeletal muscles of the elderly are weakened, and the range of motion of joints is reduced. People with insomnia, dizziness, vertigo, anemia, physical weakness, poor mental state, inability to concentrate, unstable blood pressure, etc.

2.3 Environmental factors: Dim indoor lighting or excessive sunlight, uneven floor, lack of necessary anti-slip facilities and handrails, unreasonable placement of indoor furniture or chaotic environment, inappropriate auxiliary tools, ill-fitting clothes or shoes, etc.

2.4. Drug factors: The elderly suffer from many comorbidities and often need to take multiple medications, which is an important factor in increasing the risk of falls.

3. Preventive measures

3.1 Elderly people often have multiple diseases and take multiple medications at the same time. Elderly people must take medications strictly according to doctor's orders and should not increase or decrease the dosage or type of medications at will. At the same time, they should understand whether the medications they take may cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. Such medications should be taken before going to bed, or activities should be reduced after taking the medication to reduce the risk of falling. [2] Go to regular follow-up visits and consult your doctor about the use and precautions of medications.

3.2 Improve the environment The living environment should have sufficient light, handrails should be installed in the corridors, and clutter should be removed to create a clean and tidy route for the elderly to walk around the house without obstacles. The bathroom is a place where the elderly move frequently and are prone to injury. It is recommended that the floor be dry and flat, the toilet seat in the washroom be equipped with handrails, and the bathtub height should be appropriate.

3.3 Preventing the elderly from falling out of bed: Bed rails should be provided for elderly people with impaired consciousness. If an elderly person is found sleeping close to the edge of the bed, he/she should be pushed to the center of the bed in time to prevent him/her from falling out of bed and getting injured.

3.4 Daily life - clothing

3.4.1 Choose the right shoes:

Buy non-slip shoes that fit your feet, and don't use insoles that are too thick to avoid affecting the height of the soles. Try not to wear slippers.

3.4.2 Choose appropriate clothing:

Everyday clothing should be of the right size and moderately tight, and attention should be paid to the warmth of the clothing to prevent joint stiffness and weakness.

3.5 Daily life - food

3.5.1 Preventive use of vitamin D in the elderly is effective in reducing falls. Daily supplementation of vitamin D and calcium is also effective in preventing falls. [3]

3.5.2 Milk is rich in calcium. Drinking milk every day, bone soup and fish are also sources of calcium. To reduce the occurrence of falls in the elderly, the elderly should maintain a balanced diet to ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D to enhance the strength of bones and ligaments.

3.6 Elderly people with limited mobility or sensory impairments such as vision and hearing should actively choose appropriate assistive tools for functional compensation to provide support and balance.

4 Health education aims to help the elderly improve their safety awareness due to the aging of the population and the weakening of balance ability. Reasonable diet, calcium supplementation and exercise are the most important prevention methods.

4.1 Regularly conduct health checks for the elderly so that they and their families can understand the factors that may lead to falls. Provide predictive guidance so that the elderly can understand their own health conditions and abilities, reduce the chance of falling, and thus improve their quality of life.

4.1.1 Pay attention to eye care. Vision loss in the elderly is one of the important factors for falls. Therefore, the elderly should check their eyesight regularly and replace their glasses in time. When reading or watching TV at home, keep the light at an appropriate level to avoid eye fatigue. In addition, the elderly should also pay attention to keeping their eyes clean and avoid eye infections.

4.1.2 Pay attention to hearing screening. Perform regular screening to reduce the impact of hearing and visual impairment on falls.

4.2 The elderly should develop healthy living habits, move as slowly as possible and not be impatient.

4.2.1 Remember three 30-second intervals: 1. Wait 30 seconds after waking up before getting up 2. Sit on the edge of the bed for 30 seconds before standing up, and then walk 30 seconds after standing up.

4.2.2 When standing up or turning around, the movements should be slow, especially avoiding sudden turning back and turning around [4].

4.2.3 Have a regular daily routine and get enough sleep. Develop good living habits and maintain a balanced mind.

4.2.4 Avoid drinking too much water before going to bed, which will cause you to get up multiple times during the night.

4.3 Develop good exercise habits

4.3.1. Insist on moderate exercise: Regular exercise helps prevent falls. The elderly can choose a form of exercise that suits them, such as walking, jogging, in-place activities, various forms of gymnastics and Tai Chi, etc.

4.3.2. Practice walking backwards. Find a flat open space to practice walking backwards and try to keep a straight line.

4.3.3. Practice "Ba Duan Jin". Ba Duan Jin can improve neurohumoral regulation and enhance blood circulation. It has a gentle massage effect on abdominal organs and is a good sport for training the balance ability of the elderly.

Falls in the elderly are not an accident, but a potential risk factor. It is related to the decline of body function and aging, as well as environmental factors. In short, there are many aspects that the elderly need to pay attention to in preventing falls, from physical exercise to creating a safe environment, from nutritional intake to drug management, all of which require the joint efforts of the elderly themselves and their families. Only by comprehensively and effectively preventing falls can we ensure the safety and health of the elderly. "The most beautiful thing is the sunset, warm and calm", let us work in this direction to create a safe and warm living environment for them.

References

[1] China Practical Medicine, Issue 29, 2010

[2] Li Shujia, Yang Yuping. Analysis and countermeasures of accidents that occur during hospitalization. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 2002, 37(11):871.

[3] Ma Yulan, Ma Tengxiao, Wang Yongqin. Evaluation and nursing strategies for balance and gait of elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease who fall. Journal of PLA Nursing, 2006, 5, 23(5): 29-31.

[4] He Liying. A brief discussion on the safety issues of elderly patients during hospitalization. International Medical and Health Guide, 2006, 12(22): 115.