People with Alzheimer's disease need frequent monitoring because they are at an elevated risk of falling. If your senior loved one has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, consider a memory care facility, where the aging adult will be closely monitored to prevent falls and other accidents. Here are some "falls risk" interventions the memory care staff may implement to help keep your elderly loved one safe and free from falls while in an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Medication Monitoring
People with Alzheimer's disease may take multiple prescription medications, not only to help promote cognitive function but to treat other comorbid conditions that are often associated with advancing age. For example, blood pressure medications can cause dizziness, vision problems, muscle weakness, and fatigue, all of which can contribute to falls.
Some people who have dementia may also experience severe anxiety, depression, and even aggressiveness. If warranted, the physician may prescribe psychotropic drugs to treat these conditions, and while effective in managing mood disorders and unwanted behaviors, psychotropic drugs can increase the risk of falling.
The memory care staff will monitor your loved one for side effects such as an unsteady gait, increased confusion, excessive sleepiness, and wandering behaviors. If the staff notices anything unusual, they will notify the physician who may lower the dosage of offending medications or discontinue and prescribe different medications that may be less likely to cause adverse reactions.
Memory-Boosting Activities
Memory care facilities have activity department staff that coordinate memory-boosting activities for their residents. These activities may include reminiscing mind exercises, where the activity assistant asks the residents about their favorite memories, jobs, families, and homes.
Talking about their lives may help trigger pleasant memories and enhance brain function. In addition to reminiscing activities, the staff may also coordinate exercise activities to help promote circulation and blood flow, which may also enhance brain and memory function.
Memory-boosting activities may help prevent confusion, depression, and disorientation, all of which can raise the risk of falling. In addition, exercise activities can also help promote strength, balance, and coordination to further lower the risk for falls.
If you have questions or concerns about Alzheimer's care or placement for your loved one in a memory care facility, call an admissions counselor to learn more. When your loved one is in a safe environment and monitored by highly trained healthcare professionals, their risks for falls and other accidents will be greatly reduced.
For more information on memory care, contact a professional near you.
Share18 November 2021
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