Mobility Equipment Supplies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently published a study on the correlation of injuries related to walking aids and its proper usage. The study was conducted using ER records from 2001 until 2006. It was found out that that a total of more than 47,000 American senior citizens are sent to emergency rooms each year, with a third of this number requiring hospitalization.

Some findings of the study include:

• 6 out of 10 accidents associated with walkers and canes occur at home.
• People 85 years and older are more susceptible to fall-related injuries; the study shows that the chances of accidents involving walkers and canes increase with age.
• 33% of accidents involving walkers and 28% of accident involving canes required hospitalization.

This is rather alarming. Walking aids and other mobility equipment are created to assist the elderly and the disabled to keep them safe.

“Walking aids are very important in helping many older adults maintain their mobility. However, it′s important to make sure people use these devices safely,”" said Judy Stevens, Ph.D., the study’s lead author. “Walkers are often used by frail and vulnerable older adults; people for whom falls, if they occur, can have very serious health consequences.”

Now that even the walking aids that we rely upon to assist our elderly is questionable, what can we do about it? Are there other underlying issues we need to address to keep our elderly safe? Note that the study involved American senior citizens. From whom do we have to expect action on this matter? Social welfare? The health ministry? Or the manufacturers of mobility equipment?

What can we learn from the study?

From this study we can learn that having walking aids is not enough to assist the elderly. It is also important that they are provided with quality walking aids and are knowledgeable in how to use such aids correctly and safely. It is highly recommended that physical therapists provide counseling to teach the elderly, as well as their caregivers, how to properly use walkers, canes, scooters and other mobility equipment. Doctors and other health care professionals must also take time in ensuring that a walking aid or any other mobility equipment fits properly with the user’s stature.

A concern is raised.

The study was conducted with American seniors as subjects and findings show that the problem stems from incorrect usage of walkers and canes. However, one cannot help but surmise if the problem is also aggravated by the quality of mobility equipment. How can the quality of one brand compare with another? It cannot be denied that equipment with inferior quality contribute to accidents. However, we cannot prove anything without numbers or statistics. The study did not mention anything about the quality of walkers and canes and how it relates to the number of accidents relating to fall, but it remains to be something worth looking into, for the welfare of our elderly.

For a full copy of the study, visit the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

ui6h82c75f

The summer holidays are here. It’s the time when families go traveling, hiking, camping, swimming and simply lazing around under the sun. But what happens to grandma and grandpa when everybody else is out enjoying the summer holidays?

I am sure you are looking forward to spending time with your children while school’s out for the summer. On the other hand, you might be having second thoughts about traveling or going out frequently during the holidays because of an elderly in your home who needs round-the-clock care and supervision. If you are in such a dilemma, you may want to consider placing your elderly loved one in a residential care facility, if only temporarily, for the duration of the summer holidays.

You might be wary about placing your loved one in a residential care facility or a nursing home, since they have a reputation for being a place you do not want to go. However, a residential care facility is a perfectly safe environment for elderly care which will help relieve your worries of who will tend to your loved one.

Here are some things you might want to consider when choosing a nursing home for your loved one.

Consider the Location

Where would you like your loved one to stay? Do you want a nursing home near to your home or near to another relative? If your elderly needs specific medical requirements or regular visits to the doctor, you might want to consider nursing homes within a convenient distance from a hospital.

Personal Requirements

List down all the requirements of your loved one. Take note of important factors such as special diet, medical requirements and other facilities for physical therapy and even entertainment. You might also want a nursing home which has a great nursing staff. A great nursing staff is not only professional, but genuinely caring for the welfare of the elderly as well.

Make a List

Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for in a nursing home, you can begin your search. You can try looking at directories, asking for recommendations from your local health office or even search the internet. Try visiting http://www.nursinghomes.co.uk or http://www.carehome.co.uk and search for nursing homes in your ideal locations.

Make Visits

Contact the nursing homes in your list. Look for the Director of Nursing or the Admissions Coordinator to set up an appointment for a visit. Getting to know the nursing home staff and seeing the services and facilities the home can offer your loved one will surely help you decide on which nursing home will best suit your loved one’s needs.

Placing your loved one in a nursing home that you trust to have quality service and facilities will surely help both you and your loved one. It’s a win-win situation. Your loved one will get the best care possible while you are away, and you can enjoy the summer holidays with your children without having to worry too much.