With a new patient, Dr. Pellegrini will often do a risk assessment to help the senior evaluate their status and pinpoint factors that can be improved. Non-prescription medications and herbal remedies can compound the problem. I try to eliminate any medications that are not absolutely necessary. If balance is a problem, activities to avoid include climbing stepladders or stairs that do not have railings. If the patient has arthritis or an orthopedic problem, I treat the primary problem to reduce the risk of falling.
Pain relief can often improve a person's gait and reduce stumbling.
If a person has limited mobility because of poor strength or flexibility, I may recommend a visit to a physical therapist. For example, an electrical cord crossing the floor, which may be difficult for a person with poor vision to see, may trip an unsuspecting senior. A room crowded with a lifetime's furniture may make moving about safely more difficult. Lifting weights appropriate to their strength three times a week can help otherwise healthy seniors improve endurance and overall well-being. Sometimes simply rearranging furniture and re-routing electrical cords can reduce falls, along with simple modifications like adding handrails to stairs, porch steps, bathrooms and hallways.