Rochester Senior AdvisorWhat should we do in the days after a parent falls?
Make sure the parent sees a doctor even if there was no obvious injury, ask for a medication review and a check of vision and blood pressure, and look at what caused the fall: a rug, poor lighting, footwear, dizziness or weakness.
A fall is often the first visible sign of a change in health. Ask the doctor whether physical therapy at home, covered by Medicare when ordered, would help.
How can we make a Rochester home safer after a fall?
Add grab bars and a shower seat, remove loose rugs, improve lighting on stairs and at night, move everyday items within reach, and arrange snow and ice removal so the parent does not have to clear walkways themselves.
Winter is the riskiest season here: lake-effect snow and freeze-thaw cycles turn driveways and steps into hazards. A personal emergency response system with fall detection gives some peace of mind between visits.
Are there fall-prevention classes around Rochester?
Yes; the Monroe County Office for the Aging offers A Matter of Balance, a program that reduces fear of falling and builds activity, reached at (585) 287-6439, and Tai Chi for Arthritis classes at senior centers.
Outside Monroe County, ask the county Office for the Aging about evidence-based fall-prevention classes.
When does a fall mean a parent needs more help?
A second fall, a fall the parent cannot get up from, or a fall that leads to a hospital stay usually means the current level of help is not enough and the family should consider home care hours, adult day care or a move.
Long periods on the floor after a fall cause their own harm. If a parent lives alone and has fallen more than once, that alone is a strong reason to change the plan.
Does Medicare pay for anything after a fall?
Medicare pays for medically necessary doctor visits, imaging, hospital care, rehab after a qualifying hospital stay and home health therapy, but not for grab bars, emergency response devices or hourly aides.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited benefits for home safety items or meals after discharge; ask the plan directly.
Should a parent wear a fall alert device?
For a parent who lives alone or is home alone for long stretches, yes; a personal emergency response system with automatic fall detection can summon help even if the parent cannot press the button.
Test it monthly, and make sure the parent actually wears it in the shower and at night, when many falls happen.
At a glance
| After a fall, do | After a fall, do not | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | See a doctor and review medications | Assume no injury means no problem |
| Home | Add grab bars, lighting, snow removal | Leave loose rugs and icy steps |
| Plan | Reconsider help after a second fall | Wait for a third |
Sources include the N.Y. Social Services Law and Public Health Law, 18 NYCRR Parts 487-494, 10 NYCRR Parts 415 and 1001, Department of Health GIS messages, CMS, the VA and CareScout, as cited above; see our editorial standards.
