With Balance Impairment, How to Prevent Falls in Parkinson’s Patients
One of the most challenging symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that affected the quality of Ruth’s life was her balance impairment, which led to falls. Ruth attended water aerobics regularly to continue working on her balance. Ruth was special; as a retired kindergarten teacher, she was beloved because she practiced the skills all students learn the first year in school about how to be a good human. At 76, Ruth had her first knee replacement, and due to her healthy and active lifestyle, she healed quickly. However, two years later, she had her other knee replaced, but this knee wasn’t healing like the first. Her knee was much tighter, and she wasn’t achieving the range of motion needed for her recovery. Her physical therapist suggested she visit a neurologist, and that is when she was diagnosed with PD.
As her PD progressed, Gene, her husband, took her to the emergency room more than he liked because she started to fall more often. The family implemented these procedures to prevent Ruth from falling. As a result, thankfully, her black and blue marks and sprained limbs decreased.
- Remove rugs and potential obstacles
- Install grab bars in bathrooms
- Ensure shoes fit correctly and have soles that are either rubber or leather
- Participate in gentle exercise which improves strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility
- Add light to the living spaces so objects are readily seen and nightlights to the bathroom, bedroom, and hallways
No matter what the reason for balance impairment, following these tips with your patients will help decrease their falls and trips to the emergency room.