Skilled Home Health Care for Falls

• Home environment (scatter rugs, electrical cords, uneven surfaces)
• Getting up too quickly or being in a hurry
• Medications or medication changes
• Certain medical conditions
• Muscle weakness (especially of the legs)
• Fear of falling
• Previous falls or “near falls”
• Incontinence

Each patient’s plan of care is tailored to meet their unique care needs and health goals. Most commonly, home care helps fall-risk patients:

• Decrease their risk of falling
• Remain independent at home
• Reduce potential ER visits/hospitalizations
• Conserve energy

• Elara Caring offers many skilled services, including a diagnosis-specific falls program, Better Balance, to support patients as they manage their fall risk at home. Many other diagnosis-specific programs, like Roll for Control for incontinence, may be appropriate based on the patient’s needs.
• Home care nursing, for example, offers education to patients on the disease process and their medications. Nurses can assist with diet recommendations and provide effective symptom management and treatment.
• Physical therapy helps identify the root of the fall risk and develops a custom treatment plan. Therapy includes training for balance and strength, gait, transferring, bed mobility, functionality and endurance. Therapists can also provide assistive device teaching and a home exercise program.
• Occupational therapists provide training to help patients accomplish their activities of daily living, like dressing, bathing and meal preparation, and they can assess patients’ homes for safety issues and fall risks.