Colorado Springs Senior AdvisorWhat should we do after an older parent falls in Colorado Springs?
Get a medical evaluation even if there is no obvious injury, ask the doctor to review medications and balance, and ask for a home health referral for physical therapy and a home safety evaluation, which Medicare covers for homebound patients.
Falls often have a cause that can be fixed: a new blood pressure medicine, poor vision, a urinary infection, dehydration at altitude. A fall that led to lying on the floor for hours is a warning that the person needs a way to call for help.
How can we make a Colorado Springs home safer after a fall?
Add grab bars and a shower seat, remove loose rugs, improve lighting on stairs and at night, put frequently used items within reach, and arrange snow and ice removal from driveways, steps and walks before winter.
Front Range weather swings from sunny to icy in a day, and shaded north-facing steps stay icy long after a storm. A medical alert device that detects falls is worth considering for anyone who lives alone.
When does a fall mean it is time for assisted living?
When falls repeat despite changes, when the person cannot get up alone or call for help, when fear of falling has made them stop moving, or when nighttime toileting is the danger point.
Assisted living offers staff around the clock and a call system. Ask each residence how it responds to falls, how quickly staff answer call lights at night, and what its CDPHE occurrence reports show.
Who pays for help after a fall in Colorado Springs?
Medicare pays for a hospital stay, short skilled rehab after a qualifying three-night admission, and home health therapy for a homebound patient; it does not pay for grab bars, a medical alert subscription or non-medical help at home.
Health First Colorado's EBD waiver can cover home modifications and personal care for members who qualify, and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging can point families to local programs that install safety equipment for older homeowners. Military retirees should check what TRICARE For Life adds for durable medical equipment such as walkers and shower chairs that Medicare covers.
Side by side
| After a fall, do | After a fall, don't | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | Get checked, even without obvious injury | Assume it was just a trip |
| Home | Fix hazards and plan for ice | Wait for the next fall |
| Help | Ask for home health therapy | Limit activity out of fear |
| Plan | Decide what would trigger a move | Decide in the emergency room |
Drawn from 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 7, CDPHE and HCPF publications, CareScout, CMS, the VA and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging; our editorial standards explain how we check them.
