MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'falls'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:08:44 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028158&cid=t_103425_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1bQcSKcql2Y%2F By Walter OlsonThe New York Times has an article today on the plight of Central Falls, Rhode Island, a 19,000-population industrial city that may declare bankruptcy under the fiscal weight of $80 million in pension obligations for police and fire officers. Unlike some coverage of municipal fiscal woes, this one does not dance around the way some of the problem originates in misguided labor policy: The city, just north of Providence, is small and poor, but over the years it has promised police officers and firefighters retirement benefits like those offered in big, rich states like California and New York. These uniformed workers can retire after just 20 years of service, receive free health care in retirement, and qualify for full disability pensions when only partly disabled. “Promi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028158 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:27:20 +0100 5028158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008473&cid=t_103425_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-falls-secondary-damages%2F Supportive, light-weight shoes, a sturdy cane (“stick” in Ireland), cool ocean breezes and keen mindfulness allowed for some “hiking” on my recent holidays in Ireland. We kept to well worn paths and all, but it was nice to get out into nature even if it was only a few feet of the roads. Preparations for these jaunts included cool showers, a fistful of meds and the ever-watchful eye of Caryn as we trod step by spongy, peat supported step… And I’m proud to say that I was one of the few in our group who did not fall during our trekking! Chalk that one up to another lesson of living with MS. So many times, however, we know that we do fall and as I’ve commented before we may meet the canvas more often when we are feeling at the upper end of the MS spectrum. The injuries resulting ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008473 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:18:28 +0100 5008473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960003&cid=t_103425_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F22%2Fageing-society-2011-vol-31-no-5%2F This article looks at the need for further understanding of routine, mobility and daily activities that may be taken for granted and whether these issues are important when it comes to designing methods that mitigate the negative impacts of falls and fear of falling for people living independently. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Assistive Technology, Falls, Independent Living, Older People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960003 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:16:12 +0100 4960003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693525&cid=t_103425_180_f&fid=38607&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fsuccessbeginstoday%2FBHWQ%2F%7E3%2Fnaw-OBLcW9Y%2F I had the pleasure of attending the Cre:ate Cruise, with Michael Hyatt, Randy Elrod, Pete Wilson, and Ken Davis, over the last week. During the first sea day of the cruise I had a chance to pitch a book proposal to Michael. It was an amazing experience, and Mike gave me a lot of great feedback. My proposal was based on a book about success topics we cover here at Success Begins Today. Mike helped me refine my ideas and zero in on a specific area for the book. He also suggested that I get an agent to help me interface with different publishers. Overall I left with some great knowledge to move further along in the process. The next day we docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. My wife and I took an excursion to Dunn River Falls, where I attempted to climb to to the top of the cascading 600 foot water... Success Begins Today blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693525 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:52:43 +0100 4693525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642596&cid=t_103425_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcms-never-events-incentivize-physicians-to-avoid-caring-for-high-risk-patients%2F2011.03.27 In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it would no longer pay for the treatment of “never events,” i.e., certain medical conditions in hospitalized patients which the Feds deem to be universally avoidable under all circumstances. These conditions included: * Decubitus ulcers * Two kinds of catheter-associated infections * Air embolism * Mediastinitis after coronary bypass surgery * Transfusing patients with the wrong blood type * Leaving objects inside surgery patients * In-hospital falls Then, having been delighted with the results of its original list (or dismayed that healthcare costs continued to skyrocket despite its original list) CMS subsequently proposed declaring several new conditions as “never events,” including: (more…) *... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642596 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:00:46 +0100 4642596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436850&cid=t_103425_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fare-you-an-accident-waiting-to-happen%2F During my nursing career, I saw many fruitful and productive lives changed in an instant. A fall, a trip, or a slip of any kind of accident can cause injury and change a life. Sometimes, that change is forever. Prevention of falling or injury is the best treatment. Most recently, I have a good friend in California who simply twisted her body in her driveway while attempting to lift a wet and heavy garage door. She went down in a heap with a fractured femur, the long leg bone, cracked right in the middle. Thankfully, she has alert neighbors who came to her rescue and called 911. Because she also suffers from osteoporosis the mending is slow and discouraging. She can’t bear weight on the fractured leg and they have her on strict bedrest. No walker, not even a potty chair. Dignity pretty we... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436850 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:04:51 +0100 4436850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190336&cid=t_103425_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-and-falls%2F Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis and falls can go hand in glove. Please do not be alarmed if you have not had such gravitational events; not everyone is going to have every symptom of MS. The soup of weakness, vertigo, visual distortion, and other less common symptoms of multiple sclerosis can and do make us more susceptible to the occasion trip, face plant, or “yard sale” (the kind of fall where you and everything in your retention are splayed across the visible horizon). I took one such tumble this past week. Were it not for the lingering, deep-tissue bruise of my shoulder it would have been a pretty funny fall. Okay, who am I kidding? Even with a bit of limited motion in my shoulder and all, it must have been a damned hilarious sight for Caryn to walk in upon. It’s 2:30 a.m. ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190336 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:35:43 +0100 4190336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3436380&cid=t_103425_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fbut-i-was-just-trying-to-act-like.html Yesterday, I was doing my normal things - laundry, cooking, went for a walk, a little gardening, etc. I try not to let my health interfere with my daily activities. I usually just ignore the aches and pains and keep on going. If I did let them interfere I would be sitting in the corner, doing nothing with my life. But often by the end of the day, my back is killing me and my ankle is telling me I did too much again. I was doing laundry and cooking - my parents were coming for dinner and I like to create - so I was on my feet a good portion of the day. But I did sit down and take some breaks to help my back rest. I was almost done with laundry and had three full laundry hampers lined up, waiting for my husband to bring them upstairs. I could have moved them but I attempted to step over them... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3436380 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:13:00 +0100 3436380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298567&cid=t_103425_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Feven-cat-is-stressed.html Yesterday morning I took the cat to the vet and he had his ultrasound, which is fine - no nasty surprises. But he was really mad because they shaved his stomach (and he had to skip breakfast). I asked the vet about his pulling the fur off his legs and she said its probably stress. He did something similar before when I was going through chemo. He doesn't deal with stress any better than we do.Yesterday I also went to have my arm checked. I have lymphedema in it. This is a long term side effect of breast cancer surgery. There is no cure (gee thanks cancer, the gift that keeps on giving, in more and more ways) and treatment is limited to compression, massage, and exercises. So right now it is mild. The hope is I do more exercises (five more exercises, sets of twelve, three times, twice daily... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298567 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:33:00 +0100 3298567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167236&cid=t_103425_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeaningful-use-ehrs-are-hospitals-ready Ever since the release of the proposed final definition of Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records, as well as specifications for what constitutes a Certified EHR, we have been blogging about how this impacts physician practices who are interested in qualifying for incentive payments beginning in 2011. Our focus has been on ambulatory practices, and EHR systems geared toward them. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167236 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:54:24 +0100 3167236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089222&cid=t_103425_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Farchives-of-internal-medicine-2009-vol-169-no-21%2F contents page Fade Fave: Meta-analysis of the Impact of 9 Medication Classes on Falls in Elderly Persons Fade Skinny: Identifies an increasing recognition that the use of certain medications contributes to falls in seniors. Updates a previously completed meta-analysis looking at the association of medication use and falling to include relevant drug classes and new studies that have been completed since a previous meta-analysis. Finds the use of sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines demonstrated a significant association with falls in elderly individuals. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Current Awareness, Drug Therapy, E-Journals, Falls, Older People (Source: Fa... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089222 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:30:40 +0100 3089222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048061&cid=t_103425_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F02%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2009-vol-302-no-20%2F The objective of this article is to determine whether chronic musculoskeletal pain is associated with an increased occurrence of falls in a cohort of community-living older adults. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Falls, Musculoskeletal System Diseases, Older People, Pain (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048061 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:20:27 +0100 3048061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660880&cid=t_103425_133_f&fid=35098&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclub166.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fwhen-did-niagra-falls-get-so-tacky.html So, our first stop on our family vacation extravaganza this year was Niagara Falls. I have been there 2 or 3 times in the past, but not for at least a decade. And I don't think I've been on the Canada side of the falls for at least 30 years.I was surprised both by how expensive everything was on the Canadian side of the falls, as well as how tacky. Now don't get me wrong. The falls themselves are beautiful (breathtaking, really), and the view from the Canadian side is better than from the US side. But I'm still left wondering whether if it was worth it to go, as the place left somewhat of a bad taste in our mouths.This is what we expected (and got!):The falls are a natural wonder, and the "Maid of the Mist" boat ride is worth it, as they get you right up close to the falls.But the town is ... Club 166 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660880 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:32:00 +0100 2660880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442052&cid=t_103425_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fproblems-with-inner-ear-function-quite-common-in-older-adults%2F Most people know that the ear has two functions; namely, hearing and balance. Now new research has shown that the inner ear balance function, called vestibular function, is impaired in fully 35 percent of all U.S. adults over the age of 40. Such dysfunction, which affects 69 million Americans can lead to catastrophic problems, most notably to falls with their attendant issues such as fractures. Vestibular dysfunction increases with age, eventually affecting 85 percent of those over the age of 80. The findings were published in the May 25, 2009 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The researchers studied nearly seven thousand U.S. adults over the age of 40. Participants completed a questionnaire and also underwent balance testing by something called the “Romberg Test of Standin... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442052 Fri, 29 May 2009 20:52:01 +0100 2442052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034653&cid=t_103425_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F12%2F12%2Fa-picture-worth-a-thousand-words-i%2F From: Johnston JJ, McGovern SJ. Alcohol related falls: an interesting pattern of injuries. Emerg Med J. 2004 Mar;21(2):185-8. My interpretation: At a BAC of about 2.5 g/L most people are too drunk to put their arms out to break their fall -  and as a result will fall flat on their faces… (Source: AEQUANIMITAS) AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034653 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:21:23 +0100 2034653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1833088&cid=t_103425_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F27%2Folder-people%25e2%2580%2599s-experiences-of-falls-and-bone-health-services-england%2F (Executive Summary) presents the findings of a study to investigate the experiences and thoughts of patients’ who have used falls services in NHS trusts around England. The participants were patients who were currently or had recently been attending a falls service. Most such patients have had a recent fall: others had been referred because they were considered to be at particular risk of falling. Key messages Lack of awareness of what falls services were available, how referral took place and how they related to other primary and community services. GPs are felt not aware of these services. Despite thorough assessment, outcomes or conclusions or the right to ask for the results are not clear to clients. Falls clinics to have been seen as a positive experience, highlighting both physic... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833088 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:32:07 +0100 1833088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1416569&cid=t_103425_158_f&fid=36160&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeinstitute.com%2Fcaregivingminutes%2F%3Fp%3D68 How to Prepare Your Home for a Hip or Knee Replacement Hip and knee surgeries are an increasingly common part of the aging process. Whether you are having an elective surgery due to arthritis and joint degeneration or your surgery is required due to trauma or a fall, the surgery requires temporary adjustments to your lifestyle and home environment. The Pope Institute Retirement Life by Design™ – Living Well Toolkit 10-Steps to Preparing Your Life & Home for a Hip or Knee Surgery will help you function better, focus on recovery, and better navigate your home environment with greater ease and safety. ——————————————————————————&#8... CaregivingMinutes™ by Pope Institute blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416569 Fri, 02 May 2008 19:32:36 +0100 1416569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300772&cid=t_103425_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Ffalls-and-fall-related-injuries-are-all-too-common-in-older-adults%2F My father will turn 89 in early April, and he was recently described by a visiting physical therapist as “a fall waiting to happen.” So the March 7, 2008 article in the CDC’s “MMWR” publication about seniors falling is one of personal interest to me. And since the CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injury in persons 65 years and older, it’s likely that this subject will resonate with HealthTalk readers concerned with their personal risk of falls as well as with the risks to their parents, friends and other loved ones. The CDC has estimated that in a three-month period in 2006, about 5.8 million persons over 65 fell and of those about 1.8 million sustained some type of fall-related injury. The overall estimate is that each year in the United Stat... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300772 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:16:09 +0100 1300772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1250538&cid=t_103425_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Ftrading-places-accident-puts-caregiver.html My switch from caregiver to care-receiver happened like this. My shoe, wet from the rain, slipped on the steps. I suddenly found myself lying in a tangle at the bottom of the steps with my knees twisted. The popping and pain let me know there was a serious injury. Calling for help, being carried to the car, and going through the emergency room were all familiar from my years in the caregiver and health care field, except this time the one who fell was me.Back home from the travels, it looks like there are several knee surgeries in the future. One leg is in a velcro type cast from top to ankle, the other in several braces, and I'm navigating on crutches. I drove 800 miles home alone with my two dogs in the car, and learned a lot about what it's like to try to open heavy doors to restrooms, ... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1250538 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:00:00 +0100 1250538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=897341&cid=t_103425_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Ffall-prevention-by-mobile-clinic.html I've taken care of many frail seniors after they have had a fall. In Canada there is a new system to help prevent falls. Healthcare specialists travel with the Mobile Falls and Injury Prevention Clinic, which provides personal custom reports and personal programs for seniors. The assessment and programs are aimed at preventing seniors from falling and injuring themselves. Seniors go to six stations that include a nurse, pharmacist, kinesiologist, biomechanics expert, and a physiotherapist.Seniors who go to the mobile clinic receive a custom report to reduce their own risk of falling and getting injured. They also receive a custom activity program designed to meet their needs and provide safety.I will add that having a personal evaluation and a custom tailored program of exercise, mobility,... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=897341 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:24:00 +0100 897341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=858695&cid=t_103425_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fsafety-for-seniors-and-caregivers.html Some websites about safety for seniors and caregivers include the following: (1) Stopfalls.org has a website devoted to fall prevention, includes articles on legislation, the National Council on Aging, reducing bed falls, and more. (2) Medicinenet.com has an article about what to do after calling 911 for any emergency (3) Osha.gov has a section about lifting and caregiver injuriesThe fire department in my local area provides free lift assists when a senior has fallen and you can check with your local fire department and rescue workers for more information. (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=858695 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:42:00 +0100 858695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=852208&cid=t_103425_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwhen-senior-falls-in-home.html If an elderly person falls in the home the caregiver can call 911 to ask for a free "Lift Assist" from the local fire department. Sometimes an injury might not be apparent until later, and the caregiver can ask the person who fell not to move until the fire department arrives and checks for injuries.The statistics for injuries from falls and complications afterwards make it especially important to let professionals who are trained to be able to check for injuries do this. The number of people who do not survive after a hip injury or who do not return home after one means that every possible precaution needs to be taken.Sometimes bones might be cracked or broken, but for a number of reasons the person who fell might not feel pain immediately. It is safer not to take chances.Moving someone w... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=852208 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:41:00 +0100 852208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=838166&cid=t_103425_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fcaregivers-safety-checks-can-help.html Caregivers can use the following safety tips to help prevent falls when providing care in the home for frail seniors. Throw rugs, poorly lit areas, steps without railings or grab bars, slippery floors, bathrooms without grab bars, and clutter could lead to a fall.Second, chairs without arms, low couches or chairs, and stools can lead to falls. When a frail person sits in a chair without arms the lack of support on the sides can cause leaning and falling sideways. Very low couches or chairs can be difficult places for a person who is feeling weak to try to stand up.Low bathroom commodes can be raised with various medical supplies that add arms for support. Sometimes a caregiver tries to assist someone to stand from a low chair or couch and one or both may fall in the process. Extra cushions... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=838166 Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:09:00 +0100 838166