Sustaining a fall can complicate the management of chronic diseases. This article outlines important steps caregivers can take to help manage chronic conditions after a fall, ensuring the senior’s health remains stable.
Falls can exacerbate existing chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, making disease management more complex. After a fall, caregivers must be especially vigilant in monitoring the senior’s health, particularly for signs of complications such as pain, swelling, or mobility restrictions that could worsen their chronic conditions. It's crucial to maintain communication with healthcare providers to adjust medication, physical therapy, or other treatments as needed. A consistent and tailored care plan should be developed that includes safe movement strategies, exercises to maintain mobility, and techniques for managing pain. In addition to physical health, mental health must also be monitored, as the trauma from a fall may increase anxiety or depression, which can complicate disease management further.