Fall Prevention Expert, Dr. Rein Tideiksaar
Answer:
Assistive devices (AD) are designed to ease the strains of daily activities and help elders function more independently and safely. Assistive devices includes items such as canes, walkers, grab bars, shower chairs, bath seats, toilet commode chairs, night lights, etc. If an elder experiences any difficulty, discomfort or fear of falling with their everyday activities (walking, getting in/out of bathtubs/showers, getting up/down from toilets, getting on/off beds, climbing steps/stairs, etc.), or if they’ve started to avoid certain activities or situations, it's possible that an AD can help them overcome difficulties, maintain independence and reduce the risk of falling. AD can also assist elders regain confidence in their abilities, and they can even alleviate the overwhelming fear of being dependent on others.
Once you determine your fathers elder’s safety needs, you should be able to find AD that will improve both his safety and quality of life. A Google search will yield hundreds of websites offering AD (sometimes referred to as adapted equipment) and instructional videos/pamphlets on different types of AD.
However, giving your father AD based solely on need, regardless of his physical, cognitive and functional abilities, can be a safety hazard resulting in further falls. To ensure that AD are appropriate and safe for your father, talk to your doctor. Tell him or her of your concerns and ask about the benefit of AD in helping to reduce his fall risk. The doctor will refer you to a physical or occupational therapist; they are well suited to: (1) Assess your father and his home environment for the ‘right’ type(s) of AD, (2) Provide the appropriate training on how to use AD properly and safely, and lastly, (3) On a continuing basis, evaluate whether or not the AD is helping your father.
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Rein Tideiksaar Ph.D., PA-C is the founder and president of FallPrevent, LLC, a consulting company that provides educational, legal and marketing services related to fall prevention in the elderly. Dr Tideiksaar is a gerontologist and a geriatric physician's assistant. He has been active in the area of fall prevention for over 30 years, and has designed numerous educational and clinical fall prevention programs.
For more information, go to http://about.me/drrein
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