START This One Simple Thing To Avoid Nursing Homes.

Video Transcript

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:00:00) – To avoid going to a nursing home, check the home environment. And the first step here is to start just basically walk around the house and look for obvious things that stand out to you, that that’s a fall hazard, that’s a fall hazard or that, you know, that’s a kind of a problem or that part’s usually kind of slippery right there. They usually water on the floor over there. So looking around the house and finding out the most obvious things that you don’t even need a rehab professional to help you find. Start with those things and then just go from there and start fixing those things. Something very simple is basically just clean up the house, make sure it’s removed of clutter so that someone doesn’t trip over things. And if you start there, start with the most obvious things, then you can easily then just go to the next thing, the next thing and the next thing. And this doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t have to say, Oh my gosh, we have to bring in all these people and completely modify the whole house.

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:00:54) – And you know, now it’s going to look like an institution because we’re on all these grab bars in and all this stuff you don’t have to start with that. Start with the most obvious things first. So the first place to start is the bathroom, because this is the most common place for people to fall. Look at, of course, the toilet. How high it is. Is a person able to stand up from the toilet well enough? And if not, do they need to work on their strength and their power of their legs? Do they need to work with the physical therapist on their ability to stand up more easily from the toilet? Do they need an elevated toilet seat so that they can stand up more easily? Or do you want to install a toilet that’s higher up so that the person can stand up more easily in general without an elevator to see their is all sorts of options now. And of course there’s grab bars and all sorts of things that can be installed in the home environment and you want to make sure that you have an occupational therapist as the person who’s coming out and basically saying, okay, this height here with this grab bar and this one diagonal, this one horizontal, and this is what you need based on the individual person and occupational therapist is the licensed professional that you want for all the specific details because you don’t want to just guess at this.

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:02:02) – You want the right health care provider, providing you the specifics as far as what you need when it comes to a grab bar. Because worst case scenario, of course, is that the grab bar comes off or it was not installed correctly or it’s not the right thing and actually causes a fall or they may not be effective if it’s just not the right thing in general. So you want to have a good professional, usually an occupational therapist that can come out and make all those details recommendations for you. Now look at the floors in the home as well. And again, remove clutter from the home environment. You can put double sided tape around the perimeter of your rugs and that can avoid the conflict that a lot of families experience, where the children want to pull up all the rugs and get rid of all the rugs in the house. And then, of course, the parent says, No, I love my rugs. You know, keep those there. And it’s this big conflict. You can use double sided tape to prevent that from happening.

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:02:50) – That way the rugs are able to stay on the surface and they’re not flopping up all the time. And of course, rice can still be a problem because there are transition piece, but at least they can be a compromise. And of course, to remove the problem altogether is removing the rugs altogether. And then you don’t have those transition problems. And double sided tape can be a happy compromise. Now, a lot of people think that carpet is better than hardwood floors because, oh, it’s a padded surface. So if I fall, then I’m less likely to get hurt. The opposite is the truth, because carpet provides a lot of problems for walkers, for canes, and also for our balance in general. And don’t go in with the mentality of I want to pad myself if I fall. And again, this sounds like common sense, but a lot of people say this all the time, or the idea of walking in the grass is actually better than walking on the concrete because it’s more padded. So if I fall, then I’ll take the route with the grass because I’ll be more padded.

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:03:42) – The opposite is the truth. So part of the problem with both grass and carpet is that it actually kind of mutes our balance. Basically the sensation from our legs up to our brain that tells our brain about where our legs are in space is muted when we’re walking on these soft surfaces. So whether it’s grass or carpet, when we walk on those things, then the information going up to our brain is less potent than it would be if we walked on concrete or hardwood floors. So you want to go in with a mentality of preventing falls in the first place and not worry about padding yourself when you do fall. If you’re going to be using a walker or a cane or a wheelchair, carpet can be a major problem because it can really slow a person down. It can get in the way. It can cause people to stumble more easily than hardwood floors or tile or whatever it might be. And also chairs we see a lot of times, especially because we work in the home environment with our clients, chairs are a big problem on carpet because they’re difficult to move out and then push back in if the person is on carpet, especially if the person’s older and they don’t have the upper body strength, they may not have the balance.

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:04:50) – And so it’s much more difficult to push the chair out and in if they’re on a carpeted surface versus a hard flat surface. So outside the house, think of. About the steps going into and out of the House. Now, the big question when you ask yourself here is, does this environment need a railing based on the person’s physical abilities where they are now or where they’re likely to be in the relatively near future or even moderate term future? Do they need a railing based on the home environment? So how many steps are going into the house and is that person going to be able to physically go up and down those steps quite easily based on their physical abilities? And here’s the dirty little secret that a lot of people won’t tell you. Your friends will love you for putting in a railing because a lot of times the person’s peers, so say your aging parent or a neighbor, whoever it is, their friends are also having the similar types of problems that they are. So if you’re aging parents having a balance problem, likely all times their friends are too.

Dr. Jeffrey Guild (00:05:45) – So they will be more grateful if you install a railing going into and out of the house, maybe even two railings and the people who are visiting them on a regular basis, which is likely people who are their peers will be very grateful for that, even if they don’t tell you. So don’t worry about, oh, what’s it going to look like? Or you know what my friends think or whatever it might be. Of course, these are the stories that we tell ourselves on a regular basis, but it’s a railing that can be a big difference between someone falling on steps and not falling on steps. And the fall on steps can be a big catastrophe. These are the big falls that tend to happen that land people in the hospital and into a nursing home. So you want to address the question of does a railing need to be installed and then address that appropriately.

References

Dr. Jeffrey Guild shares valuable insights on creating a safer home environment for seniors, enabling them to avoid nursing homes. Dr. Guild highlights the significance of identifying potential fall hazards and implementing necessary modifications to prevent accidents.

To begin, he suggests taking a thorough walk around the house to identify any evident hazards and making simple adjustments such as decluttering. Additionally, attention should be given to the bathroom, floors, and steps within the home.

Dr. Guild recommends the installation of railings, which can greatly enhance safety. For personalized recommendations, he advises consulting with an occupational therapist who can provide tailored advice based on individual needs.

It is crucial to address fall risks effectively in order to prevent serious accidents.

Do you or an aging loved one struggle with balance and falls? There is hope. Let us empower you to maintain your independence at home and in the community.

Click the link below to book your free in-home discovery visit:
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Matt Langford

Physical Therapist

Hi there! I'm Dr. Matt Langford. I have been working as a physical therapist in DFW for three years. My wife, our golden doodle named Birdie, and I love to spend our time going on different adventures whether it be hiking the Trinity trail or traveling to new places. I also love playing golf, pickleball, and serving at our local church in Fort Worth. My goals in life include learning more about the field of physical therapy so I can provide better care to individuals, pursuing my faith in a way that helps others know about Christ, and making as many memories as I can.

Kasondra Woodruff

Client Liaison

Kasondra is a mother and a pet lover, she loves spending time outdoors with her children and furry friends. With years of experience in client relations, her passion is ensuring that every client is heard and taken care of. As our Client Liaison, Kasondra takes pride in building strong relationships with our clients, ensuring that their needs are met and that they feel comfortable and confident throughout their time with us.

Jason Livas

Physical Therapy

Jason joined the Optimove team November 2023. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2012 followed by an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy from Navarro College in 2019.
Jason’s clinical interests include neuromuscular training for healthy aging and longevity of the older adult, orthopedic rehabilitation and strength and conditioning. Jason also maintains certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and trigger point dry needling (Cert DN).
Outside of work, Jason enjoys cooking, reading, strength training and spending time with his beautiful wife and kids.

Connie Thomason

Occupational Therapist

Connie holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University (1997) and boasts over 26 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. Her expertise lies primarily in neurological rehabilitation within a hospital-based outpatient setting. Throughout her career, Connie has worked across various healthcare settings including Acute, SubAcute, Skilled Nursing, and In-Patient Rehab.
Her specialization in Vestibular Rehabilitation since 2005 has equipped her to effectively treat a wide array of conditions, including BPPV, Vestibular Migraine, Meniere’s Disease, acute and chronic hypofunction, Acoustic Neuroma, PPPD, balance disorders, central vestibular disorders, concussion, and Superior Canal Dehiscence.
Connie holds numerous certifications, including the 360 Neuro Health Certificate of Competency in Vestibular Rehab, Emory University Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency-Based Course, 360 Neuro Health V2FIT for concussion, Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) BIG for Parkinson’s patients, Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) for stroke patients, and NASM Corrective Exercise certification. She is also certified in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Active in professional communities, Connie is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Vestibular Disorders Association.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Connie enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years, along with their two rescued bulldogs. Her hobbies include riding motorcycles, traveling, running, painting, and reading extensively about health, wellness, and vestibular research.

Andy Altmoyer

Operations Manager

Andy grew up as part of a military family, living all over the country and abroad. He is so glad to have finally landed back in Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies Education, minoring in Vocal Music and Theater from West Liberty University in West Virginia. Since then he has used his outgoing nature, education background, and organizational skills in healthcare management and operations. When he isn’t working he enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, reading Marvel comics, and cooking.
During Andy’s first venture into healthcare, while living in Ohio, he worked for a practice focused on Orthopedics where he spent time managing their Physical Therapy front desk across multiple locations as well as being a group fitness instructor for seniors, folks with special needs, and those who have had total join replacements. It’s here that he realized his deep love of helping people navigate the healthcare system and connecting them with those can meet their mobility needs.
Sad to leave that company after over 7 years, Andy and his family moved to Dallas where Andy spent 3 years as Operations Manager for a large Neurology practice. He continued helping people connect with top tier healthcare providers, navigating the pandemic, and moving the practice’s location in stride. It was during this time that Andy met Dr. Guild. The Optimove Team became a favored referral source for some of the physicians on staff and Andy got to work with their team closely as they coordinated care for the patients.
This collaboration led to Andy joining the Optimove Team in August of 2021. Andy has a unique blend of experiences not only professionally but personally as well. He has been able to assist so many people reach the correct providers to have their needs met and provides valuable insight to the workings of the healthcare system at large and how to make it work better for our clients. This also comes from helping his mother navigate worker’s compensation and disability as well as assisting his family setting up his grandparents with memory care, assisted living, physical therapy, and other services. Andy has often been quoted as saying, “I may not be the one laying the healing hands but connecting folks to the right people who can help them makes me feel like I’m a part of something great and makes me feel good.”
Andy would like to be a part of your journey towards independence and wellness. He loves getting to know our clients and being one of their biggest cheerleaders throughout their journeys. Give him a call and take the first steps to achieving your goals.

Peter Langlois

Physical Therapy

Peter keeps our clients laughing, and the whole Optimove Team as well. Hand-picked by Jeffrey from their previous rehabilitation work, when he is not being “The Joint Whisperer” and making the seemingly impossible happen, Peter is MacGyvering up some gadget for our clients to help them move better.
Peter is originally from Rhode Island. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island where his first career was as a ship captain, where he travelled the world and experienced many different cultures. Peter later developed a passion for physical therapy from his running career as a long distance runner doing marathons and ultramarathons. This led him to switch careers as he wanted to learn more about injury prevention and rehab. Peter has worked in various facilities over the last 8 years as a therapist throughout the metroplex including skilled nursing, outpatient orthopedics, and home health. He now enjoys working with our clients on various movement disorders, gait mechanics and balance issues. In his spare time Peter enjoys chopping wood and going for long trail runs with his family.

Jeffrey R. Guild, PT, DPT, (Former CSCS)

Owner, Therapist

When Dr. Jeffrey Guild is not working as business owner and clinician, he is dedicating time to his wife and children. His other hobbies include working out (Mainly in the weight room), music (Listening, playing, & researching), history, science, and studying business and successful people.
Jeffrey is originally from Bettendorf, Iowa and went to The University of Iowa and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion (Minors in Integrative Physiology & Psychology). He also worked as a Strength & Conditioning intern with The University of Iowa for 3 years and volunteered in cardiac rehabilitation at The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Upon arriving to Texas, he interned at the Cooper Aerobics Center.
Jeffrey’s first career was as a strength & conditioning professional and personal trainer. Even in the fitness industry he specialized in working with people who were older and with physical limitations. His particular emphasis as a personal trainer was identifying basic movement problems to prevent injuries BEFORE the training started, which gave him a greater understanding about human movement and was a natural segway towards Physical Therapy.
Jeffrey graduated with a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy at The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth in 2013. He received the Dean’s research Award for the Allied Health Department and got published in multiple journals. After physical therapy school he started his career by receiving mentoring for over a year working in a vestibular/neurological specialty outpatient practice. Since then he has worked in a number of areas of physical therapy including inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, skilled nursing, memory care, and even pediatrics. In 2018 he started his own practice with the name “Optimove” with the emphasis on a combination of “optimal movement” and “optimism.”