{"id":103,"date":"2012-06-04T14:16:07","date_gmt":"2012-06-04T14:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/satisfyou.com\/jmd_client_sites\/flnav_wp\/?p=103"},"modified":"2020-10-03T01:38:08","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T01:38:08","slug":"adjustment-to-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/2012\/06\/persons-with-disabilities\/adjustment-to-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"Adjustment to Disability"},"content":{"rendered":"

Older adults age 65 and over are at higher risk for many types of injuries that can have devastating effects. In some cases, leading to loss of independence, disability, or death. Falls are the leading cause of injury death for Americans 65 years and older. Twenty percent to 30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. People age 75 and older are in one of the age groups at highest risk for Traumatic Brain Injury.
\nWhat happens when someone suddenly becomes disabled? How do you react? What do they go through? What resources can help both the accident victim and the caregiver?
\nThe individual with a new disability may be in shock, disoriented, and confused about the future. They may be asking themselves\u00a0 \u201chow \u00a0am I going to go on with my life, remain independent, or get help? \u201c They may experience a variety of emotions such as anger, denial, sadness, or depression.
\nFamily members may experience similar feelings. They may feel isolated, not knowing what the future will bring or who can help them in this time of crisis.
\nElizabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages of grief that the person with a disability or family members may experience: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. A person can go through these stages in any\u00a0 order and they may be repeated.\u00a0 Each stage may last different amounts of time.
\nVarious things affect how people live with their disability:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Type of disability
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cause of disability
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Severity of disability
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Visibility vs. invisibility of the particular disability
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Coping abilities of the patient and family
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Previous attitudes toward disability and illness
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reactions of family, friends, and health care professionals
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Personality
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Availability of supportive services
\nWhen illness or disability strikes the patient and families may become overwhelmed with questions and information. Your doctor is key to the process of treatment and recovery, whether you have a progressive illness\u00a0that develops over time, or a sudden disability caused by an accident.
\nBecoming disabled means you may need support from health and social service agencies. The hospital social worker or case manager can assess your needs and connect you with services. These services may include home health care, financial aid, counseling and support groups, and other services for older adults.
\nPatients and families need to ask their health care professionals questions about the disability or health condition, treatment and recovery, and what services are available to help the individual and the family.
\nCaregivers need to take care of themselves. You need to take breaks, enjoy your own leisure activities, and delegate responsibilities to others if possible.
\n\u00a0<\/strong>
\nThe following services are available in the community:<\/strong>
\nFor general information: <\/strong>Call 211 or the Area Agency on Aging (Elder Helpline) 561-684-5885
\n 
\nFor people with certain health conditions:<\/strong>
\nAlzheimer’s Association 24-Hour Crisis Line 1-800-272.3900
\n 
\nAmerican Parkinson\u2019s Disease Association
\n954-786-2305
\nArthritis Foundation
\n561-833-1133
\nMS Society for South Florida 800-344-4867
\n 
\nFor people with visual impairments:<\/strong>
\nLighthouse for the Blind 561-848-7200
\nTalking Books Library 888-780-5151
\nRadio Reading Service 800-273-6677
\n 
\nFor people with hearing impairments:<\/strong>
\nDeaf Service Center 561-278-6444
\n 
\nCaregiver assistance and support:<\/strong>
\nPalm Healthcare Foundation 561-840-4222
\nCaregiver Magazine www.caregiver.com
\nNational Family Caregiver Association 800-896-3650
\nWell Spouse Association 800-838-0879
\n 
\nCounseling and Support Groups<\/strong>
\nRuth Rales Jewish Family Services 561-852-3333
\nCenter for Group Counseling\u00a0 561-483-5300
\n 
\n 
\n 
\nTransportation:<\/strong>
\nPalm Tran Connection 877-870-9849<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Older adults age 65 and over are at higher risk for many types of injuries that can have devastating effects. In some cases, leading to loss of independence, disability, or death. Falls are the leading cause of injury death for Americans 65 years and older. Twenty percent to 30% of people who fall suffer moderate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-persons-with-disabilities","tag-disabilities"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1969,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103\/revisions\/1969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}