Polypharmacy is usually defined as regularly taking 5 or more medications. It has been associated with an increased risk of falls, particularly in the elderly.
The risk of falls is thought to be due to both the medication and the conditions they are treating.
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/31/1/2/3
More drugs = higher risk, so any concerns about mobility should be addressed with an appropriate mobility aid. Lower the risk for those variables you have direct control of.
Elderly Mobility Aids are so named because they are commonly used by people later in life. This does not mean that they are the only ones using them.
Walking aids can also be used by anyone following injury or surgery. Crutches are a common example and they are often followed by a walking cane as the condition improves.
Medical conditions that cause weakness or loss of balance can also require the use of an aid.
"Elderly Mobility Aids" can therefore be a misleading term but still one commonly used.
You can get fold up walking canes that can fit in an average sized hand bag.
This means that even if you only need one in certain circumstances, you can have a bit of extra support when you need it.
They are definitely one of the most useful types of elderly mobility aids for the more mobile
When using a walking cane you should put it in the hand opposite your worst leg.
When it comes to stairs, the first rule is to always use a rail if there is one. Place the cane in the hand not using the rail and use it to assist.
If you have rails on both sides at home it is usually best to use both of them and have 1 cane upstairs and 1 downstairs.
There is no point having an Elderly Mobility Aid if it is not used correctly
It is normally assumed that a walking frame with 4 rubber stoppers is more stable than one with wheels.
When people walk quickly with stoppered frames (particularly the confused) it actually offers less support than a wheeled frame would as they pick it up and it spends very little time in contact with the floor.This goes to show that it is important to match the Elderly Walking Aid to the person using it.
The idea is good. You find it hard to stand from a chair so you get a chair that helps you out.
The problem....
You stop using the muscles that help you stand and pretty soon you can't stand without this type of assistance.
This can be a very big problem and aids such as this should only be used when absolutely required.
Other Elderly Mobility Aids that provide balance support while keeping you active can have the opposite effect. If you walk twice as far daily because you use a cane or frame you get stronger.Stronger is good, weakness is bad.
A quad stick is a walking stick with a wide base. It gets it's name from the 4 rubber stoppers on the base that provide the extra stability.
Quad sticks are heavier than regular walking canes but the increased base of support provides a higher level of balance assistance.
Quad sticks are commonly use be people who have had a stroke and are an example of a specialized form of Elderly Mobility Aid.
When it comes to mobility, different environments have different requirements. You may be fine walking around the house but when you venture outside uneven surfaces, slopes, and steps suddenly make everything different.
It is normal for people to use a mobility aid only when required. This may mean a walking cane when outdoors but mobilizing independently indoors.
Alternatively, those who use a cane indoors may feel safer with a walking frame when outdoors or in unfamiliar environments. The most important thing is that if you need an aid, choose the appropriate elderly mobility aid for your current level of function and the location you will be walking in.
There is no point in having a suitable elderly mobility aid when it is not in good working order.
Hospital staff frequently see members of the public walking in with walking canes and frames that have the rubber stoppers completely worn through. This leaves the metal frame in direct contact with the floor.On hard surfaces this offers very little grip and greatly increase the risk of falls.
It is not worth risking your safety for a $1 piece of rubber. Most people don't realize the rubber on a walking frame has worn through but it only takes a second to look and check its condition. With walking canes the situation is even more risky.
Be sensible, check your equipment, and stay safe.
http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
The CDC has its own page of statistics on falls in the elderly.
In 2000, the direct medical costs of falls in the elderly was $19.2 billion
More than one third of adults older than 65 fall each year.
Women are more than twice as likely to break a bone in a fall but men are 49% more likely to die from falling.
72% of fractured hips occur in women.
All of these figures again show that falling is not an option. Using a mobility aid is vital once someone is falling or having near misses.
Prevention is always better than the cure and with such potentially serious consequences something as simple as a walking frame can go a long way to decreasing the risk.
Not only do we become more likely to fall as we get older, we also become more likely to injure ourselves.
Osteoporosis is a primary reason for this as our bones become less forgiving. This means that a fall from standing height is more likely to result in a fracture.
Wrist fractures are the most common as we automatically put out our arm to try and cushion the blow when landing. Much more serious but also common is the hip fracture. This usually requires orthopaedic surgery and is associated with a much more difficult recovery. Many people who fracture their hip never return to their previous level of mobility, some require residential care, and around 20% of elderly people suffering a hip fracture will die within a year of their fall.
This is why prevention is far better than the treatment. Any one at risk of falls or who is falling should consider using a mobility aid. If they are already using one and are still falling it should be re-evaluated as more support may be required. An inappropriate aid can be as bad or worse than no mobility aid at all.
Many people get attached to whatever they are using and are resistant to change but a fall or a few close calls should be a warning sign that their mobility level has changed and the required level of support may have changed as well.
Here is a simple article on falls prevention when negotiating stairs:
http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/stair_safety_to_preve...
Getting appropriate hand rails fitted has got to be a priority and greatly reduce the risk of falls.
Bilateral rails are best and increase confidence. If you walk with a frame, have one for upstairs and one for down - Never try and carry it up or down stairs with you.
If you have only one rail, use it plus a stick in the other hand to increase stability.
The correct use of elderly walking aids can make a huge difference.
Here is a summary of points from a great article on falls among the elderly population:
You can read the whole article here.
If you are worried about yourself or a relative or friend. Consider an elderly mobility aid to increase their safety and confidence.
Sometimes your walking is OK but your exercise tolerance is not.
That is why it is now common for elderly mobility aids to have a seat built in.
Most people have seen walking frames with seats but you can also get Walking Canes with a Seat.
You should always consider every aspect of your walking requirements when choosing a mobility aid as sometimes the ability to take a brief rest when you are out will be an important factor.
It is all good and well having an adjustable walking stick or walking cane but how high should it be?
Here is a simple guide:
http://wupensticks.com/index14.html
Like any Elderly Mobility Aid, they need to be appropriate for both the user and the environment they will be used in.
The wrong aid (or the right aid at the wrong height) may not offer the support you need.
Here is a link to a great site that has a home safety checklist for the elderly. Falls are the number one area for concern and a few environmental modifications can be done in 5 minutes to decrease the risk of falling.
http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm
If anyone is falling or concerned about falling, it is time to think about an appropriate elderly mobility aid before an injury results.
Some ads make it seem fun to need a walking aid. Check out this offering by a Swedish company:
Can't wait 'til I get a little older.
Elderly Mobility Aid - here I come!
Everything I discover in my research into elderly mobility issues will be recorded here.
First.....
Tai Chi.
There have been many studies into the effectiveness of this in promoting balance in the elderly. A review of the published studies showed that Tai chi improved balance but did NOT lead to a reduction in falls.
See article here.
Preventing falls is of paramount importance as a single fall can lead to serious injury. Once confidence starts to go it is time to consider an elderly mobility aid
