Have you recently experienced a fall? A fall can be especially dangerous for adults over the age of 65 as they are more likely to suffer a head injury or broken bone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of every five falls causes an injury that may require hospitalization and at least 300,000 of those older adults are hospitalized for hip fractures. Following a hospitalization for a fall injury, you may be required to continue your recovery at a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) before transitioning to home – even more so if you are unable to accomplish daily tasks independently or need mobility assistance.
At Prestige Care, we know a fall can be a life-changing event for people of all ages, so we are dedicated to working with each patient to ensure optimal recovery and provide them with the tools and education necessary to prevent future falls and rehospitalization. Each individual’s recovery journey is unique and may require a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and patient education to improve their mobility and help them regain independence. We provide every person with an Individualized Care Plan and ongoing comprehensive evaluations to ensure they are able to achieve their recovery goals and return home as quickly as possible.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
If you or your loved one are recovering at a Prestige Care Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a fall injury, our clinical team may recommend physical and/or occupational therapy depending on the extent of the injury. For instance, a hip fracture may require more frequent physical therapy to improve functional mobility, while a broken wrist or head injury may involve more occupational therapy to achieve independence in activities of daily living and improve upper extremity function.
Physical and occupational therapy exercises are utilized to help build strength, improve balance and coordination, and increase mobility, all of which can help a patient reduce their fall risk and regain independence. Upon discharge, we also provide each patient with the education they need to reduce their fall risk when they return home. This may include tips on how to fall-proof your home, at-home exercises to maintain mobility and balance, and how to determine your own risk factors.
During your stay at a Prestige Care Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, our experienced therapy teams also use a data-driven approach to improve positive recovery outcomes utilizing proven measures to dramatically decrease fall risk and improve over functional strength. Our assessments may include:
- Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) Score: a three-part test used to evaluate a person’s lower extremity ability – walking speed, chair stand ability, and balance.
- Walking/Gait Speed: an assessment used to determine a person’s functional mobility and fall risk.
- 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT): determines the distance a person has walked over six minutes to measure functional exercise capacity especially for those who have undergone a knee or hip surgery.
Whether you are recovering from a hip fracture, concussion, or surgery after a fall, our team of healthcare professionals will work with you from the moment you arrive at one of our Skilled Nursing Centers to the time you are discharged and able to return home. At Prestige Care, our goal is to ensure you have the tools and education necessary to reduce your fall risk and prevent rehospitalization.