It’s no secret that people are living longer than they ever have before. Many factors contribute to the increase in the number of the seniors, including access to better healthcare, family and religious involvement, and increased industrialization. As the sheer volume of individuals increases over a particular age threshold, we can expect unprecedented strain placed on public health, aging services, and in general the entire health care system. The combination of personality traits of today’s seniors and the projected shifting of the infrastructure of the Long Term Care system will effectively mandate seniors to age in place and receive supportive services in community-based settings. Preventative measures are becoming increasingly critical for avoidance or delay of future health care needs.

Several relatively common everyday tasks can oftentimes transform into potentially dangerous scenarios for today’s seniors and aging population. Falls, medication mismanagement, and poor nutrition cause countless hospitalizations (or worse!) each year. The statistics are staggering among individuals age 70 or older. Three in 10 will fall each year, 2 in 10 will need home health services as direct result of their fall, 1 in 10 will suffer a serious fall related injury. Falls cause over 90% of broken hips. Seniors also take more medications than any other group; averaging 13.6 prescriptions filled per year between the ages of 65 through 69 and 18.2 prescriptions filled per year between the ages of 80 and 84. Nutrition plays a major role in almost every aspect of general health and plays a significant role in specific disability types. Dehydration, pressure sores, dementia, and heart disease, are all related to nutrition and play a large role in countless other health and disability related topics.

Falls are a serious and traumatic event for seniors and for people with mobility impairments. The damage caused by a fall can be catastrophic, leading to irreparable physical and emotional consequences. Most falls are almost entirely preventable! Recognizing the particular associated risk factors is vital to prevention.

Historically speaking, those that live alone, are above the age of 75, and are for the most part “home bound” are at a significantly higher risk for falling. There are related physical factors associated with falling such as an individual’s reduction in visually acuity, foot or leg problems, and any neurologic changes. Common interventions can be categorized by specific causes or factors and the interventions that correlate to those factors.

Risk Factor

Hypotension –Or Drop in Blood Pressure

Intervention: Ankle Pumps, Hand Clenching, Elevation of the head, Decrease in Medication Dosage, Pressure Stockings

Use of Sedative-hypnotic drugs

Intervention: Education, Non-pharmacologic treatment of sleep problems such as sleep restriction

Use of 4 or more Medications

Intervention: Review of Medications and potential side effects

Environmental Hazards for falling or tripping

Intervention: Home safety assessment with appropriate changes, selection of safer furniture, installing grab bars in bathrooms or handrails next to stairs

Gait Impairment

Intervention: Gait training, using appropriate assistive devices, balance and strength training

Impairment in balance or transfer skills

Intervention: Exercising focusing on transfer skills, environmental modifications

Impairment in leg or arm muscle strength or range of motion

Intervention: Exercising with resistance bands or weights

Medications are an increasingly prevalent and important part of our daily lives especially for seniors and individuals with disabilities. As the frequency and variety of medications increases, it becomes exponentially more important that individuals are able to successfully and independently manage their medications. Oftentimes several doctors may be involved in an individuals care plan so it is imperative that all doctors (including specialists) know of all the prescriptions, over the counter medicines, and supplements that the individual may be taking. Side effects and unwanted interactions between medications are a common occurrence, so communication with all physicians involved is paramount. It may also be vital to tell your physician why specific medications are important to you as opposed to others. The doctor will not understand your preferences until you express and explain them.

Following a treatment plan and understanding the name of the medication(s) and purpose, knowing how and when to take the medicine, understanding what foods, drinks, or other medicines should be taken, refill directions, and instructions for missed dosages are also vitally important. Communication between the pharmacist, your physician, and yourself is a proven method for monitoring effectiveness. If problems should arise, ask about the results of any medical tests that may prove or disprove effectiveness. Then determine with the help of your physician if the medicine is needed and evaluate how you are feeling after taking the medicine.

Poor nutrition is related to many disabilities and diseases. Heart disease, our nation’s biggest killer, can largely be prevented with a heart healthy diet. Certainly genetic predispositions will sway an individual’s likelihood of the disease; however developing a personal way of eating to negate those factors can be easy. Start your heart-healthy diet by increasing your complex carbohydrate intake, reduce sodium intake, limit saturated fats, and reduce higher cholesterol food choices and establish general portion control monitoring.

Another strong example of the importance of diet and its relationship to individuals with disabilities presents itself to those who are at higher risk of developing pressure sores (Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and COPD). Pressure sores can take months or years to recover from and leave the individual at a considerably higher risk for infection. People with spinal cord injuries, especially in the early stages of development of the sore, need to be cognizant of their intake of vitamin C and E, the mineral selenium, and amino acids (building blocks of protein), and keeping a correct balance of albumin. The process of rebuilding skin uses all of these components to increase blood flow and oxygen to the wound site, and introduce protein to the basis of production of skin cells. Researchers have noted a link between our dietary habits and memory loss and other cognitive deficits as high saturated fat and cholesterol intake are associated with memory loss. Current recommendations include a higher intake of Vitamins A, E, C, and D, and minerals such as selenium, chromium, and zinc.

Prevention and delay of disease or disability is seldom discussed. As medical advances continue to increase, people are living longer and overwhelming wish to age in place. This desire can be accomplished successfully if preventative measures are identified and put in place early enough to make a difference.