Falls at home can be devastating for a senior. Ever year hundreds of thousands of seniors end up in the hospital with serious injuries that were caused by a fall at home. It’s important that seniors and their family members do everything they can to prevent falls.
Family members should always go through their homes before a senior loved one comes over and make sure that they have removed anything that could be a tripping hazard. Family caregivers should also rely on elder care for seniors that live alone. Elder care providers can clean the home and pick up clutter so that seniors can move freely around the home without tripping over rugs, shoes, laundry, and other items that can get in the way. They can also provide ambulatory assistance up and down stairs, in and out of cars, to and from bed and more.
The best fall prevention tips for seniors are:
Move More
When seniors exercise they strengthen their muscles, improve their coordination and balance, and improve their ability to recover if they stumble or fall. Seniors who exercise are less likely to fall at home, and they are less likely to have a serious injury if they do fall. Seniors should be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise at least five days per week to stay in the best possible shape and reduce the risk of falling.
Check Those Medications
If your senior parent is taking medication that they no longer need, taking too much over the counter medication, or mixing medications that shouldn’t be mixed they have a higher risk of falling. Seniors may experience dizziness or have poor balance if their medications are out of order. It’s a good idea to check with your senior parent’s doctor and have the doctor do a medicine review.
Get Regular Vision and Hearing Checks
Vision and hearing impairments can cause seniors to have poor balance and spatial awareness, and that increases the risk that your senior parent will take a fall. All older adults should undergo regular vision and hearing checks to detect and address any issues promptly.
Get A Home Safety Assessment
Having a home care professional conduct a comprehensive home safety assessment helps identify potential hazards and implement necessary modifications to reduce the risk of falls. Just like a baby expert can help babyproof a home an expert in senior care can help make sure your senior parent’s home is free from safety hazards that impact seniors.
Wear Good Shoes
Get your senior parent to wear supportive and well-fitting footwear with non-skid soles both indoors and outdoors. Avoid high heels, loose slippers, and shoes with worn-out treads that can increase the risk of slips and falls. If your senior parent doesn’t have any well-fitting appropriate shoes, you should get them some.
Use Assistive Devices
Assistive devices such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs can provide added stability and support for seniors with mobility limitations. Ensure that assistive devices are properly fitted, regularly maintained, and used correctly to maximize effectiveness in fall prevention.
If you or a senior loved one needs elder care in Clark, NJ or surrounding areas, please call our friendly staff at 908-590-1759.
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