Prevent Senior Hospitalizations

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Part 1 of 9

Prevent Senior Falls: Assessment and Balance Exercises

Learn about a series of exercises to help prevent and assess a senior's risk for falls and help them build strength to improve their balance.

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Part 2 of 9

Chair Stands Assessment

Use chair stands to help assess an older adult's lower body strength.

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Part 3 of 9

8-foot Up and Go Assessment

This assessment is a measure of an older adult's balance, agility and walking speed.

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Part 4 of 9

Side Leg Raises

Side leg raises help to improve the strength of the hips and legs.

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Part 5 of 9

Weight Shifts

Older adults need to maintain their center of gravity while they are walking. This exercise helps to strengthen the area around their belly button.

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Part 6 of 9

Heel Toe Raises

Heel toe raises help older adults improve the strength of their lower leg muscles which are important for balance during walking.

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• Most families would agree that keeping a senior out of the hospital is an important goal. That’s because professionals who work with older adults know that some seniors who are hospitalized don’t always go home the same. Or, they don’t go home at all.

  And yet, research reveals that many of these hospitalizations could be prevented, according to a survey of 400 North American nurses who specialize in senior care and conducted by Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network. In fact, this new research showed that nearly half (48.5%) of these hospitalizations could be avoided if the proper preventative steps are taken.

  In fact, these five preventative actions can help reduce the potential risk that an older adult will end up in the hospital:

  1. Follow doctor’s orders
  2. Don’t ignore symptoms
  3. Reduce risks of falls and accidents
  4. Stay active physically and mentally
  5. Maintain a healthy diet

  There’s another vital factor in keeping seniors out of the hospital. It’s family. Nearly 100% of the nurses surveyed agreed that a family’s role in helping to keep seniors healthy and out of the hospital is as important as that of the medical community.

  In spite of that, less than half (48.6%) of the seniors they see have family members who serve as active advocates for their care, according to the survey.

  Here, you’ll learn more about some of the warning signs and risks that may result in potential hospitalization and preventative measures that may help keep a senior out of the hospital.