The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1990 (1-3. szám)
1990-06-01 / 2. szám
írom tbc Director of Kursing I SALUTE YOU "NURSE'S AIDES" In order to give good nursing care with all the new regulations, it takes a very strong chain of caregivers. One of the most important links in this chain is our nurse's aides. Over the past year and a half they have endured many threats to their job security. Even now, wéll into 1990, with an October deadline, they still have no concrete idea of what is going on regarding aide certification. With the stress of the unknown in regards to their job and the increase in the amount of care our patients need, being a good nurse's aide definitely requires a very special person. To these special people who smile when all is wrong, who go the extra mile when they would like to quit, I say God Bless you. Keep up the good work and may the future be brighter than the recent past. I salute you Nurse's Aides. Sincerely, Gloria Jean Short Director of Nursing fUtpsical Citerapi> Corner BALANCE AND FALLS Statistics show that accidents are the sixth leading cause of death in persons over 75 years old with falls being the major factor. As many as 45% to 61% of the elderly living in nursing homes fall each year. Impairment of balance appears to be the most common cause of falling. Health care professionals working with the elderly should be aware of these statistics and be able to identify those patients at risk of falling. . Many factors contribute to falls in older adults. Various diseases can cause balance disfunction due to decreased strength, endurance, joint mobility and coordination. Pain and swelling related to the disease process can also lead to balance difficulties. A second factor is medications. Some medications that may increase the risk of falls include: diuretics, antihypertensives, psychotrophic drugs, antiparkinsonism drugs, and antihistamines. A third factor is age related postural changes including a head forward position, a rounded upper back and a flattening of the lumbar spine. Two major outcomes can result from falling. First, there can be physical trauma such as fractures, subdural hematomas, or other physical impairments which can cause loss of independent function. Secondly, and more importantly, is "Postfall Syndrome." This phenomenon is when the person having fallen curtails his mobility due to the fear of falling. Clinically, this fear of falling leads to a decline in function. Physical therapy programs are designed to prevent falls by using a combination of rehabilitative and compensatory techniques. Rehabilitation intervention includes strengthening/coordination exercises, balance activities, joint mobilization and gait training. The goals of rehabilitation are to re-establish normal posture, movement patterns, and functional abilities. Compensatory techniques are those which emphasize attaining the highest possible level of functional independence. This can be accomplished by the use of adaptive equipment such as walkers or canes and the modification of the environment including the installation of slip resistant grab rails, non slip adhesive strips in bathrooms, soft vinyl toilet seats, beds with wheel locking systems, and adequate lighting systems. With the campaign to "untie the elderly", health care professionals need to explore effective intervention strategies to prevent falls in the elderly. By Rhonda Walker Licensed Physical Therapist IDottrp Corner By Resident Alma Edith Woods TALE OF THE LEAVES AND THEIR SEASONS Now you've earned your rest. You have a small job to do as you crumble so gently and mix so well to make a soft downy pillow for each tiny root. The tree can grow big and strong to help make a blanket to cover you next fall. Listen ... Heat the rustle of the leaves? You can hear the lullabye of the leaves. So enjoy the rest that you have earned. SUMMER PAST Summer and winter will soon pass, but don't forget to look for the trails it will leave behind. Over on a tree you will see an apple or three. There are pears to also share. But since my wheelchair can not climb, I will place a sign to welcome thee and maybe someone will pick for me one of the apples three.
