Fall Prevention
The trend for aging in place is an increasingly popular choice. More and more people are deciding to remain in their own home or live with family instead of residing in an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Facility.
Living in your own home allows you to remain in familiar surroundings and cut costs. This choice, however, may not be the safest one as many homes may have safety hazard areas. Our licensed occupational and physical therapists can assist in establishing and creating a safe environment for people who choose to live at home.
Occupational therapists focus on the occupations or the activities that are most important to people making sure they are performed safely in a safe environment. This process starts with an evaluation when information on the exact living situation a person resides in is gathered.
Our physical therapists specialize in gait and balance deficits. Through treatment and evaluation, the physical therapist will design an exercise routine specific for that individual along with prescribing an assistive device, if needed, such as a walker or cane to aid in balance.
Each therapist works with the patient to achieve each goal within a simulated environment in the hospital or in our outpatient rehab center. Home safety will be discussed with suggestions for changes in the actual environment to create a safer area for the person while performing a particular activity. After the assessment, adaptive equipment may be suggested such as grab bars. The overall goal is to help older adults remain as independent as possible and injury-free in their own environment.
UM BWMC Rehabilitation Services include:
- Fall prevention
- Family training
- Caregiver training
- Safety consultation
- Home safety training
- Home modifications
For additional information you can contact the Rehabilitation Services Department at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center by calling 410-787-4433.