What are the Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors?

Anyone can fall. But as we age, our risk of falling becomes greater. That’s the bad news. The good news is that falls can be prevented. The first step to preventing falls is to understand what causes them. For example, poor balance, decreased muscle and bone strength, reduced vision or hearing, and unsafe conditions in and around your home can increase your chance of falling. Staying safe and on your feet is a matter of taking some steps to protect yourself.

Some Facts Regarding Senior Falls:

• 20–30% of seniors experience one or more falls each year.

• Falls are the cause of 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations.

• Falls are the cause of 95% of all hip-fractures.

• 50% of all falls causing hospitalization happen at home.

You can prevent falls by making the needed adjustments to your home and lifestyle, and by making sure you eat well, stay fit, and use whatever devices will facilitate your daily life while keeping you safe.

Falls Prevention Ways & Safety Tips

Clutter free — Keeping the home neat and tidy is important and can help eliminate tripping hazards. This may seem simple but it is proven to be effective.

Grab Bars & Hand Rails — These are essential around stairs, bathrooms and other areas that may require assistance to the senior if needed for safety.

Light it Up — All areas of the home should have sufficient lighting available to avoid any dark spots that could cause problems. Creating a schedule to ensure all light bulbs are properly checked on an ongoing basis to reduce any prolonged burned bulbs and dark areas for your parents if at all possible.

Non Slip — Reducing hazardous slippery areas that could potentially cause a fall is important. If you find any floors including kitchens and bathrooms to be questionable simply install non slip adhesives for added protection.

Walking Aids — There may be a time where your parents may need some sort of walking aid to assist them in mobility or areas more difficult to travel inside and out of the home. Make sure to see proper advice from a professional who sell these aids to ensure proper size and function.

Toilet — Is the toilet at an adequate height where they can easily and safely sit without a problem or concern. Is the toilet paper roll easily accessible? Is the seat cover loose? Truly experiencing what they will experience can help you understand any problems they may encounter.

Kitchen — Anytime your elderly loved one may utilize the kitchen experience what they may go through in preparing a meal or even cleaning dishes. Ensure everything is in reach without struggle, cabinets, freezer, sink and dishes. Its amazing how essentials are overlooked on a daily basis that could have been easily rectified.

Device in emergency: A medical alert device, (also known as a personal emergency response system) is one of the best ways for anyone to communicate with help in almost any emergency. Most falls or accidents leave the victim helpless and unable to move or access a form of communication. With a medical alert device with possible built in fall detection or immediate SOS push emergency button, help can immediately be contacted during or after the falls.

Source: https://seniorprotection.ca/taking-care-of-seniors-today-for-a-better-tomorrow/