As the fall season arrives, we believe it’s crucial to discuss falls and balance-related topics over the next couple of months. In this blog post, we’ll focus on assisting someone who has fallen but is not injured. When a person falls, it’s essential to approach this situation with care to prevent any harm to the person who has fallen, or the person providing assistance.
Assisting Someone Who Has Fallen Safely
When someone falls, your primary concern should be their safety and well-being. Here are some steps to follow when helping someone who has fallen but isn’t injured:
1. Check for Injuries
Begin by asking the fallen individual if they hit their head, lost consciousness, or are experiencing any pain. If any of these factors are present, or if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact emergency services (call 911) for immediate assistance.
2. Prepare to Assist
To assist the person safely, you can use a gait belt if available. A gait belt is a helpful tool for lifting without straining your back or causing injury to the fallen individual. If you don’t have a gait belt, you can use a sturdy belt or strap from a bag.
3. Position a Chair
If you have a sturdy chair nearby, use it to help the fallen person get up. If not, bring a chair or other piece of furniture to them. Proper positioning is crucial. Place the chair in front of the fallen individual.
4. Half-Kneeling Pivot
Help the fallen person onto their hands and knees. Stand behind them for support, keeping your hands on their waist or hips. Make sure the chair is close enough for them to reach easily.
5. Assist Gently
Assist the person in shifting their weight forward, allowing them to place one foot flat on the floor. Encourage them to use their arms to push up from the floor while you provide support at their waist or hips.
6. Sit Them in the Chair
Once they are in a stable position on one leg, help them pivot and sit in the chair.
7. Avoid Pulling or Yanking
Never pull on the fallen person’s arms or yank them abruptly. Encourage them to do as much as they can to avoid injury. Your role is to provide support and guidance.
In situations where someone has fallen but is not injured, it’s crucial to assist them safely to prevent any harm. By following these steps and using a gait belt or a sturdy strap, you can provide valuable assistance without risking injury to yourself or the fallen individual. Remember to prioritize their comfort and safety at all times.
If you have any questions about this or other fall and balance-related topics or outpatient care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your well-being and safety are our top priorities.
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Senior Living Facilities & Services
Nye Health Services was established in 1989 on the philosophy that older adults deserve services that recognize the individual and are tailored to their unique needs. As a company, we do not aspire to be the largest, instead, we aim to uphold our mission by providing award-winning health services that make our residents feel genuinely cared for and connected while realizing life’s joy.
If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our locations in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista). Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, with numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!
As we age, maintaining our safety and independence at home becomes increasingly essential. Home safety equipment is designed to reduce risks and support daily activities, empowering seniors to live confidently in their own homes. In this article, we’ll examine the top seven safety products that every senior needs to maintain their independence. Each product was carefully chosen by Kathy Kirby, Executive Director at Nye Home Health Care with over 23 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist specializing in senior care.
Top 7 Safety Products Every Senior Needs for Independence
Reachers
Reachers are invaluable tools for seniors with limited mobility. These reacher/grabber devices come in various sizes, but regardless of the size you choose, the RMS Grabber Reacher makes life easier by helping seniors access items that would otherwise be out of reach. This reduces the risk of falls and minimizes the need to strain or bend excessively, promoting both safety and independence.
Putting on shoes can be a daily struggle for aging adults with limited flexibility or back problems. The Foot Funnel keeps the back of the shoe open, which helps seniors slide their foot in without a struggle. This simple device significantly enhances daily convenience for seniors.
Walker glides are a superior alternative to the traditional tennis balls often seen on the rear legs of walkers. These Universal Replacement Coaster Glides offer smooth and silent movement, reducing friction and making it easier for seniors to move around independently. They also protect floors from scuffs and damage and last longer than tennis balls.
Seniors often face challenges when transitioning in and out of bed, increasing dependence on others for help. The Stander BedCane provides peace of mind and a sturdy, reliable handle for seniors to grasp while getting in and out of bed. This added stability can boost seniors’ confidence and independence.
Seniors with weak hands may struggle with everyday tasks such as putting on socks. Gardening gloves with latex fingertips provide added grip, making it easier to grip clothing and other items. This practical solution is a great way for seniors to maintain their dressing independence.
Traditional shower chairs can be cumbersome and impractical in small shower stalls. The Carex Compact Shower Stool offers a space-saving solution while providing a safe place to sit during showers. This ensures that seniors can maintain their personal hygiene independently without the risk of slipping or falling.
Getting in and out of a car can be a significant challenge for seniors, especially those with mobility issues. The Stander HandyBar provides a secure and sturdy handle that attaches to the car door latch. This simple grab bar device makes entering and exiting a vehicle much easier, promoting seniors’ mobility and independence.
These carefully selected safety products for seniors cater to various needs, from assisting with daily tasks to enhancing mobility and preventing falls. Safety products made with aging adults in mind empower seniors to maintain independence while staying safe in their homes and daily lives.
Medical Alert Systems
Medical alert systems provide a lifeline in emergency situations, offering seniors immediate access to help with the press of a button. These devices are invaluable for seniors living alone, giving both them and their families peace of mind.
Final Thoughts: Home Safety Products for Seniors
All of the home safety products outlined in this guide empower older adults to live independently while reducing the risk of injury. From preventing falls to aiding in mobility, these tools are tailored to meet the specific needs of aging adults. Each of these products enhances safety and quality of life, allowing seniors to remain confident and secure in their homes.
*While this article isn’t sponsored, it contains affiliate links that help support our efforts to provide valuable information to seniors and their families. We always prioritize honest opinions and recommend products that benefit seniors in their quest for a safe and independent life.
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Senior Living Facilities & Services
Nye Health Services was established in 1989 on the philosophy that older adults deserve services that recognize the individual and are tailored to their unique needs. As a company, we do not aspire to be the largest, instead, we aim to uphold our mission by providing award-winning health services that make our residents feel genuinely cared for and connected while realizing life’s joy.
If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our three locations in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista). Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, with numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!
In a significant stride towards improving the quality of care for stroke patients, Nye Legacy and Gateway Vista have proudly announced its participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke Post-Acute Care (PAC) initiative. This groundbreaking endeavor is set to revolutionize stroke survivors’ rehabilitation and recovery process, fostering greater confidence in their care and potentially extending their lives.
Enhancing Stroke Patient Care: Nye Legacy and Gateway Vista Joins Post-Acute Care Standards Initiative
Closing the Gaps in Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Stroke, the fifth leading cause of death and a significant contributor to disability in the United States demands meticulous attention and care for those affected. During rehabilitation and recovery, evidence-based interventions and secondary prevention techniques play a pivotal role in not only aiding recovery but also mitigating complications. However, the expertise and processes for stroke rehabilitation can vary widely across different centers, leading to inconsistencies in the care provided.
Recognizing these gaps, the American Heart Association, renowned for its unwavering commitment to heart and brain health, has introduced quality standards based on its 2016 Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery. The aim is to standardize and enhance the care provided during the post-acute phase, where patients transition from the hospital to rehabilitation centers.
The PAC Standards Initiative: Elevating Stroke Care
Participating centers, like Nye Legacy and Gateway Vista, stand to gain immensely from their involvement in the PAC standards initiative. Facilities will receive not only a participation stipend but also personalized quality improvement support and practical ideas for implementing the newly established quality standards. This collaborative platform also offers the opportunity to engage with experts in stroke rehabilitation, facilitating the sharing of best practices and the creation of innovative tools.
The benefits extend beyond the walls of the rehabilitation centers. By fostering collaboration between PAC facilities, hospitals, and outpatient providers, the initiative creates a holistic and streamlined approach to stroke care. This integration improves patient outcomes, supports caregivers, and amplifies the impact of evidence-based science in the realm of stroke recovery.
Nye Health Service’s Commitment to Quality Care
Patrick Fairbanks, the Executive Director at Nye Legacy, affirmed the center’s dedication to providing the highest level of patient care. He emphasized the significance of adhering to the latest guidelines, underscoring how the PAC standards initiative empowers their teams to incorporate evidence-backed knowledge into their daily practices. This commitment, backed by scientific rigor, holds the promise of fostering better recoveries and extending healthier lives for the people of Fremont, Nebraska.
Aiming for Independent Lives After Stroke
Stroke’s devastating impact is evident in its status as a top cause of death and disability. The Post-Acute Stroke Care Quality Standards program, developed by the American Heart Association, is a beacon of hope for stroke patients seeking an improved quality of life.
The initiative, funded by a generous grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, sets its sights on implementing these standards in rehabilitation facilities across Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota. This ambitious goal seeks to empower every patient with the best possible chance at an independent life post-stroke.
Mission: Lifeline Stroke – Forging a Unified Approach
The Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative, a product of the American Heart Association’s visionary thinking, is more than just a program; it’s a cohesive strategy to bring together various stakeholders in stroke care. By uniting hospitals, emergency medical services, rehabilitation facilities, regulatory agencies, and more, the initiative creates a proactive ecosystem that saves lives and drives improved outcomes.
Nye Legacy and Gateway Vista’s participation in the Post-Acute Care Standards initiative is a commendable step toward redefining stroke care. As they join hands with the American Heart Association, their commitment to implementing evidence-based guidelines shines brightly, promising better recoveries, healthier lives, and a stronger stroke care system for all. By embracing innovation and care collaboration, they are helping to build a future where stroke survivors not only survive but thrive.
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Senior Living Facilities & Services
Nye Health Services was established in 1989 on the philosophy that older adults deserve services that recognize the individual and are tailored to their unique needs. As a company, we do not aspire to be the largest, instead, we aim to uphold our mission by providing award-winning health services that make our residents feel genuinely cared for and connected while realizing life’s joy.
If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our three locations in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista). Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, with numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!
Are you seeking a unique and effective way to address neuromuscular challenges? Nye Legacy’s Aquatic Therapy services are designed to empower individuals with gate disturbances, balance issues, and neurological conditions on their journey to recovery. Today, our therapists Lani and Joey want to highlight the exceptional benefits of aquatic therapy for neuromuscular rehabilitation.
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation with Aquatic Therapy at Nye Legacy
Our aquatic therapy pool offers hydrostatic pressure, a natural phenomenon that provides unparalleled support and stability. The gentle pressure of the water helps you feel more confident as you work on enhancing your balance and mobility. The buoyancy of water reduces the impact on your joints, enabling you to move freely and comfortably.
Our aquatic therapy services are specifically tailored to address a range of neurological conditions, including:
Gait Disturbances and Uneven Gait: Struggling with walking due to an injury, illness, or disability? Aquatic therapy can help you improve your gait and stride, leading to greater independence and mobility in your daily life.
Falls, Balance, and Unsteadiness: If you’ve experienced falls or have difficulty maintaining balance, our trained therapists will work with you to strengthen your core muscles and improve your stability, reducing the risk of future accidents.
Stroke Recovery: Aquatic therapy has shown remarkable results in stroke rehabilitation. The water’s support allows stroke survivors to engage in exercises that may be challenging on land, facilitating motor skill recovery and restoring independence.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) Residual Effects: For individuals dealing with the lingering effects of traumatic brain injuries, aquatic rehabilitation offers a safe and controlled environment to improve motor skills, coordination, and cognitive functions.
Nye Legacy Health Rehabilitation Center
At Nye Legacy, we believe that healing should be enjoyable. That’s why our aquatic therapy sessions are designed to be both effective and fun! Our therapists incorporate various movement and coordination exercises into the sessions to keep you engaged and motivated throughout your rehabilitation journey. You might find yourself playing balance games, engaging in standing activities, and experiencing a sense of accomplishment as you progress.
We also understand that every individual’s needs are unique. Our therapists tailor each exercise program to your specific requirements, ensuring that you receive the utmost care and attention. If you require additional support during your aquatic therapy, we have gait belts and flotation devices available to provide the assistance you need.
Take the Plunge: Start Your Aquatic Therapy Rehabilitation Today!
At Nye Legacy, we are committed to helping you achieve your rehabilitation goals and improve your quality of life. Our aquatic therapy services offer an effective approach to healing, harnessing the power of water to support your neuromuscular rehabilitation journey.
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Senior Living Facilities & Services
Nye Health Services was established in 1989 on the philosophy that older adults deserve services that recognize the individual and are tailored to their unique needs. As a company, we do not aspire to be the largest, instead, we aim to uphold our mission by providing award-winning health services that make our residents feel genuinely cared for and connected while realizing life’s joy.
Contact Nye Health Services to learn more about the senior living amenities we offer or schedule a tour at any of our senior living communities in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista). Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, with numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!
It’s A New Day! What a day to celebrate: a long overdue “new day” for the senior living industry! We are finally moving beyond the pandemic in the eyes of the CDC and CMS as the Covid Public Health Emergency officially ended on May 11th.
COVID-19 Updates from Nye Health Services CEO Russ Peterson and Chief Operating Officer Kristin Harris
We are proud of everything our team members have accomplished over the past three years and two months. It has been emotionally challenging and difficult as our team members responded to regulations that seemed to change every day. We are also so thankful to our residents and their loved ones who endured the visitation limitations, masks, testing, and vaccinations. Your understanding and support were so meaningful to our team.
We are taking down the covid signage, and our team members no longer need masks unless there is an outbreak. We also will not be required to notify families of every positive Covid case. We are now treating residents with Covid as we do for any infectious disease like the flu or MRSA.
It has been an emotional rollercoaster, but we are coming in at the ride’s end with all our hands up! Thank you to all our team members, residents, and families as we celebrate a “New Day” for Nye!
Nye Strong, Nye Proud, Nye Passion
– Russ Peterson and Kristin Harris
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Assisted Living Facilities
Nye Health Services’ mission is to celebrate life in environments we create by delivering exceptional service and superior value through innovative leadership in personalized care. We provide a complete continuum of healthcare services for older adults seeking independent and assisted living, state-of-the-art rehabilitation, traditional skilled care, or home health care services with campuses in Fremont, Lincoln, and Norfolk, Nebraska.
For more information about our employment opportunities, contact Mollie Cook, Director of Human Resources, at 402-753-1400. To learn more about Nye Health Services, visit us online at www.nyehealthservices.com.
Learn more about our open positions & apply today at: www.nyecareers.com.
In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Nye Health Services has put together a video highlighting the importance of exercise in managing Parkinson’s symptoms. The video features Lani, a Physical Therapist at Nye Legacy, and Evan, who provide practical exercises that can be done at home to improve movement and balance for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Practical Exercises to Improve Movement and Balance for Parkinson’s Patients at Home
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic and progressive condition that can impact movement, balance, and coordination. Parkinson’s Awareness Month is observed every April to raise awareness about the disease, its symptoms, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Lani is an LSVT BIG certified Physical Therapist who works with individuals with Parkinson’s disease or Parkinson’s-like conditions. She emphasizes the importance of big movements in all of the exercises she demonstrates in the video. This is because people with Parkinson’s tend to get smaller and smaller with their movement patterns and posture, so making big movements is vital in combating this trend.
Exercise 1 – Hands
The first exercise demonstrated in the video is for the hands. It involves balling up the hands and flicking them as many times as possible. This exercise promotes fine motor movement and helps maintain dexterity.
Exercise 2 – Legs and Hips
The next exercise is for the legs and hips. Starting with the right leg, Lani shows how to lift the leg up and over and then back down. This exercise helps with getting in and out of a car and moving the leg when trying to be mobile. Individuals with Parkinson’s tend to have difficulty with mobility, and this exercise can help with that.
Exercise 3 – Arms, Shoulders, and Posture
The third exercise is for the arms, shoulders, and posture. The exercise involves starting with arms together, down and low, then lifting them up and over. Sitting away from the back of the chair can help engage the core, trunk, and postural muscles, which are essential for individuals with Parkinson’s.
Exercise 4 – Quads, Stomach, and Glutes
The final exercise is for functional strengthening. Lani demonstrates how to do sit-to-stands, where the person stands up as big as they can and then slowly sits down. This exercise helps strengthen the quads, tummy, and glute muscles.
It is important to note that these exercises are not a substitute for medical treatment or advice. Still, they can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms and improve daily life. If you have Parkinson’s or know someone with Parkinson’s, Nye Health Services has a great support group that meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1:00 pm at Nye Square.
Improving the Quality of Life for Individuals Living with Parkinson’s Disease
In conclusion, Parkinson’s disease can be a challenging condition to live with, but regular exercise can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life. The activities demonstrated in the video offer valuable insights and practical tips to help individuals with Parkinson’s stay active and healthy.
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Senior Living Facilities & Services
Nye Health Services was established in 1989 on the philosophy that older adults deserve services that recognize the individual and are tailored to their unique needs. As a company, we do not aspire to be the largest, instead, we aim to uphold our mission by providing award-winning health services that make our residents feel genuinely cared for and connected while realizing life’s joy.
If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our three locations in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista). Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, with numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!
