Life in balance
LIFE can change in a flash, one moment happy, active, shopping, socialising, planning the perfect 80th birthday party … and then … a fall, a fracture, loss of independence and a feeling that life will never be the same again.
I remember the call, “Mum had a fall”, then the next call, “we are in the emergency department”, seven weeks later Mum is slowly recovering at home, weak, frail and unsure of herself and her ability to be independently living again. But there are many good people helping her on her healing journey.
Mum’s questions and observations over the last seven weeks have opened up to me a new dimension of our society and our health system.
We hear so many bad news stories yet everyday people are helping each other in so many ways, the stranger who helped Mum when she fell, the kind ambulance officer who nurtured Mum in the ambulance, the nurses that Mum refers to as ‘angels’ and the young doctors that Mum refers to as “coming in groups like ducklings with the mother duck”.
She asked me why the young doctors always travelled in groups. To that I explained that our health system has a wonderful way of training doctors, through the art of apprenticeship where the senior doctor (specialist), teaches the Registrar (specialist in training), who teaches the Resident (want to be specialist in training), who teaches the Intern (newly graduated doctor) and they all belong to one clinical unit, thus travelling together, each with a different duty but always working together, for the benefit of the patient.
The bonds between the junior and senior doctors are often forged for life and often become the informal referral ral pathways.
It is still not clear ar why Mum fell, the natural ageing process often places es older adults at an increased risk of having a fall.
There are three main reasons why older people are more likely kely to have a fall.
These are chronic nic health conditions, such as heart disease and low ow blood pressure, which can n cause dizziness; impairments, ments, such as poor vision or muscle weakness; illnesses s that can affect balance, such h as labyrinthitis (inflammation mmation of the delicate balance ce regulating parts of the ear).
Whatever the cause, ause, it is important to fix it and get people back into their heir home and back into their r daily living, a bit like getting back ack on the horse after the fall. .
At Barwon Health lth we are fortunate to have so many supports and structures for our elderly patients who present post fall, our emphasis is on ensuring the continuity of independent living.
Our management starts at the hospital, firstly through assessing and managing the reason for the fall and then through early intervention by a physiotherapist, who ensures exercises are established to regain function in the areas of fracture and regain confidence in walking. Often the elderly y have frail bones
due to vitamin D deficiency, thus assessment and management of vitamin D forms part of the management of an elderly patient with a fracture.
Before going home, social workers ensure that the home situation is where a patient can have adequate support, our occupational therapists ensure that the home is reviewed and appropriate supports placed in the home.
Supports might include simple things such as non-slip mat, to bathroom chairs and toilet seat raisers.
Our wonderful volunteers are available to drive the elderly to their outpatient appointments and our community nurses give daily support to patients at home, through assisting in showering and daily living assistance.
Our hospital-in-the-home service provides the best of both worlds, the comfort of home and the supervision by Barwon Health clinicians.
Physical activity keeps us healthy and reduces the risk of falls.
It can improve balance, improve muscle strength and flexibility, keep bones strong, increase energy levels, help with sleeping problems, help to control blood pressure, blood sugar levels and weight and help you to feel good about life.
Whatever your age, aim to do at least 30 minutes of activity, at least five times a week. One of the best exercises for balance is Tai Chi and I am planning to start classes with Mum soon.