Falls are among the most common reasons for injuries, especially for children and older adults. Kids undoubtedly go through clumsy stages, but a fall often isn’t as dangerous because they can recover with no permanent damage. For people over the age of 75, however, such falls can be fatal. In other cases, seniors can suffer from serious head traumas or injury to their hips.
Due to its seriousness, you might be wondering if there are any measures for fall prevention for seniors that you can do to keep your older loved ones safe. The good news is, there are things that you can do to minimize the risk of your parents or grandparents falling in your home:
Make Some Adjustments in Your Home
Most falls happen at home, so attempts to keep your loved ones safe from slips and falls should begin right there. Scan every room and see how you can improve them. The bathroom, for instance, will become safer with slip-proof mats and grab bars to make it easier for loved ones to move around.
You can also install bed rails, ramps, and other enhancements to make it safer for them at home.
Ensure That Your Home Is Always Clutter-Free
Anything that could trip seniors should be removed from the floor. Toys should be kept in the playroom only. There should be no rugs or carpets if your seniors are prone to getting their feet caught underneath. Even objects like pens or crayons should be kept off the floor. Last but not least, always ensure that there are no wet spots anywhere where people can slip.
Get Assistance Devices
Suppose you notice that any older adults you live with show instability while walking or having difficulty navigating the home. In that case, you might want to consider getting them a walker or a cane. These assistance devices can significantly reduce incidences of falls. That said, these might not be ideal if they have to walk up and down stairs.
Keep Their Activities Evenly Distributed During the Day
When seniors are tired, they are more likely to trip and fall. It’s better to have rest periods between tasks or activities that they need to do to regain their energy. This will also help ensure that their legs won’t be too tired to support their body when they’re walking around.
Make Sure They Eat Healthy, and They Are Hydrated Throughout the Day
Seniors can feel faint quickly, so you should always ensure that they receive sufficient nutrients from the food they eat. They should also stay hydrated throughout the day as dehydration can make anyone dizzy, especially older adults. That said, drinking more fluids also means they’d have to go to the bathroom more often. Ease of access to a bathroom will make comfort breaks a little easier.
Conclusion
These are just some of the elderly fall prevention measures that you can do to help lessen the risk of falls in your home. Of course, it is essential to know that constant care and assistance may be needed for many seniors to ensure that accidents like slips and falls won’t happen.
Remember that seniors are not like the young who can recover fast from falls. A fall that might be nothing for more youthful people can be severe for an older person—it can even be fatal. If you feel like the elderly in your family requires a professional to assist them or care for them, consider seeking home-based care. This is especially important if they are recovering from a surgery or a wound that could affect their balance.
Gateway Home Health and Hospice offers reliable home care services. Our team can evaluate the safety of your home, do fall risk prevention measures, and provide post-surgical care and wound care management, among others. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to take care of your loved ones!