Falls and fall related injuries are among the most significant health problems facing seniors. It is estimated that 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 fall each year. There is an even higher incidence of falls for the older person with cognitive impairment, where these individuals are 2-3 times more likely to fall, 3 times more likely to be injured, and more likely to be hospitalized than those who are not cognitively impaired.
At Decatur House fall prevention is one of our highest priorities. To that end, we are pleased to announce we are partnering with CAREtenders Home Health to bring our residents a new program that offer balance and mobility screenings and follow-up care recommendations and services to prevent falls.
Over the next several weeks and on an ongoing basis, CAREtenders will come to Decatur House to screen residents and provide benchmarking and preventative assessments. If a resident is identified as needing further intervention to promote their balance, strength, gait, etc., CAREtenders will work with the resident, his or her family, and their personal physician to recommend and coordinate follow-up care. CAREtenders staff of RNs, PTs, OTs, and SLP’s are able to provide the necessary care, conveniently, on-site, without delay. (Should a resident or family have another preferred therapy provider CAREtenders will share the findings with that provider so they may assist you.)
There are no costs to residents for screening and/or follow up homecare services from CAREtenders as they will bill your health insurance company directly.
While we highly recommend that all residents be screened and evaluated for their individual fall risk, participation in screenings is optional. If you a resident and are NOT interested in having CAREtenders perform these complimentary screens, please download and sign a copy of this letter and return it to Decatur House. (Residents who don’t participate in voluntary screenings may be nevertheless recommended for a fall risk screen by Decatur House’s Wellness Team periodically throughout the year.)
For questions about this program, please contact [email protected], 508-888-6404.
