Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
- Medical consultation
A person who experiences falls needs to be followed by a specialist. Even when a fall is benign, it must not be trivialised; it is therefore advisable that it be evaluated by a doctor. This evaluation will enable the doctor to assess the risk factors and attributed causes in the best possible way in order to make a diagnosis and suggest the appropriate treatment. If need be, they can prescribe adapted care, taking into account the patient's life habits, to improve their balance and reduce fall risks. Should it be necessary, the person can follow, in line with the advice expressed by their doctor or physiotherapist, a specific or group training programme.
- Evaluation by a physiotherapist:
Following the doctor's instructions, the physiotherapist makes you work on:
- the mobility of the joints in the upper and lower limbs;
- the assessment of your muscular strength and the sensitivity of limbs (sensitivo-motor test);- your balance and motor coordination;
- the analysis of your way of walking: length and height of steps, walking speed, endurance, going up and down the stairs, walking outside and on a broken ground, etc.
- Psychological support:
A fall, regardless of its consequences, is an important trauma. It is normal to be shaken up by such an event, with the numerous psychological impacts it involves. A fall often sends back the negative image of a failure, and of autonomy loss. It can be felt like the 'beginning of the end': the first step of a loss of faculties, going from institutionalisation to death. This idea of death can be reinforced if the person spent a long time lying on the ground, powerless and worried. If you or your family member cannot seem to make these thoughts go away, do not hesitate to see your doctor or a psychologist who will be able to help you.The best way of avoiding the trauma of a fall is to talk about it or to help the victim do so. You must express your fears for them to become part of your life history and memories, and to be able to go on without remaining paralysed by the psychological shock of the fall.
