Poor hydration, stress, nutrition and anxiety are the major causes of falls in seniors. But there’s a study that suggests there’s a solution:
Fall rates in 5,185 Medicaid beneficiaries a national MCO analyzed were interestingly lowest (~2.87%) for those with fewer personal care hours a week (about 8-10), some version of DME or supports (like grab bars) and meals, sandwiches, peanut butter with apples, as part of a diet heavier in sodium. "Those extra hours aren't as important as the meal, though we'd like to see a meal company put a box/package together—like those airline packages--that has the elevated salt, since we're seeing a lot of falls in those with a mix of vertigo, parkinson's, osteoporosis, failed bone density, and dementia," many of who are orthostatic, Cathy Lupino, RN, case manager told us over coffee this week. The data on falls was first studied back in 2023 – BRG got an early copy of it. The analysis was done to help get more visibility into a person's fall risk. The rate of falls was nearly 3x higher among those with 25 or more hours and DME but no meal plan, compared to those with some hours (~10), some DME and delivered meals. "The caregiver matters, but the consistency and simplicity of the meals is more important so we're recommending it out of the gate."