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October 1, 2019
Preventing falls is a priority for anyone at any age. Falls can range from a very simple loss in balance resulting in the need to grab a wall before hitting the ground or they can be severe by making complete contact with the ground resulting in a blow to the head or broken limb. Either way, falls can be prevented.
At Pisgah Valley we take precautions with every resident to prevent falling. In order to put the proper prevention steps in place, we must understand the balance challenges humans encounter due to our adapted body structure, brain structure and other outside environmental factors.
Our ancestors, for one reason or another, made a change from walking on four legs to two. Bipedalism changed the structure of the human body millions of years ago and consequentially caused balance problems especially in toddler aged children and the elderly. There is evidence that shows when humans began walking on two feet, the human brain began to adapt and become larger. So we’ve taken a structure (the human body) that was low to the ground on four bases of support and turned it upright with a very large bowling ball shape (the head) at the top resting on a thin skeleton with only two bases of support. One could see why health professionals focus on maintaining balance throughout the aging process.
Not only does the challenge of maintaining balance present itself in regards to holding the upright structure of the human body but other factors affecting balance come into play as well. Factors such as cognitive health, experiencing dizziness or vertigo, hearing or vision impairment and medication side effects to say the least. “Balance is achieved and maintained by a complex set of sensorimotor control systems that include sensory input from vision (sight), proprioception (touch), and the vestibular system (motion, equilibrium, spatial orientation); integration of that sensory input; and motor output to the eye and body muscles.” In other words, maintaining balance takes multiple body systems and senses working together and if one of these systems is negatively affected then that person could be at a greater risk for falling.
Here are major contributors that increase risk for falling in seniors
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms, be proactive and address the situation with before the fall occurs because it could be only a matter of time. By understanding why falls happen and specifically what factor(s) made someone fall, you can prevent injury or even death by tackling balance challenges head on.
Source:https://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder/human-balance-system
Finding time for one joke in your day may make you smarter, healthier, sexier and happier. It’s no joke that at Pisgah Valley we like to have fun and that laughter can be the best medicine (no pun intended) but do you know exactly how laughter activates the brain and the multiple benefits we receive …Read More…
As we approach the dog days of summer, warm weather safety is a priority for all but especially those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Along with the pleasant summer weather are get-togethers, vacations, and simply, more time outdoors especially in areas like Asheville. This can be a fun time of the year but it can …Read More…
July is teenage mental health month and for good reason. The rates of teenagers being diagnosed with mental health problems have risen alarmingly over the years indicating that young people are suffering from increased stress due to many environmental factors, peer pressure, and societal expectations. As grandparents who have lived and learned, seniors play a …Read More…
Eating well at home can be a challenge for many different types of people especially seniors. One solution is to turn to convenience foods such as premade frozen meals, canned soups, sandwiches and fast food combos. Although these foods provide flavor, calories and some nutrients they are seriously lacking in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They …Read More…
CREATION health, the whole health wellness program teaches us that “regardless of length, rest offers energy for the burned-out and restoration for the broken.” Rest is a necessity for us to keep going psychologically and physiologically. One factor that affects a person’s quality of rest is stress. Everyone experiences stress. That’s a fact. How a …Read More…
In modern day societies, nutrition has become a complicated subject. We have big food companies with the goal of making money and not so much of a goal to provide the public with nutritious, wholesome food. Nowadays navigating the grocery store requires skill, knowledge and discipline. As we focus on Nutrition throughout the month of …Read More…
There are a lot of choices we make each day and then there are details about life that come with no choice like who your parents are, what day you were born, or what the weather is going to be like. As humans we have the incredible power of choosing to have a positive outlook …Read More…
August is one of the busiest times of the year for a gardener. Vegetables, fruits, flowers and of course weeds have grown and are ready to be pulled. In the Asheville area, squash varieties have been picked and eaten, peppers are ready to be picked, and tomatoes are ripe on the vine so that means …Read More…
