I recently published a social media post about the Fall season, and I focused on cooler temperatures, making sure seniors have their seasonal wardrobes ready, and checking in with them regularly to ensure they are in a positive state of mind, and they are not isolated and becoming anxious or depressed.
All of those things are important, without a doubt, but there is something about Fall and leaves falling that always seems to prompt thoughts and concerns about seniors falling.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. However, falls don’t have to be inevitable as you age. You can reduce your chance of falling or help a loved one prevent falls. There are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls, even for older adults. We identify older adults as anyone 65 years and older.”
Knowing we can take measures to prevent seniors from falling is a relief for those of us with aging loved ones in our family or those of us who are caregivers to seniors, which is why I want to review 10 tips to help prevent seniors from falling.
- Reduce clutter. We all accumulate stuff over time, and the more we bring into our homes, the less space we have to move about. Remove items that don’t serve a purpose but clutter stairs, hallways, living spaces, and common areas.
- Remove or repair tripping hazards. Have you ever tripped over a sidewalk section that was raised or damaged? Similar tripping hazards exist in homes, too, like slippery throw rugs, uneven floor planks or tiles, ripped carpets, electrical cords gone astray, and so on. You can prevent falls at home by removing or repairing these tripping hazards.
- Add grab bars and handrails. Grab bars and handrails are literally life savers for anyone with mobility or balance issues. “Gary Kaplan, DO, the founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Virginia, suggests installing grab bars by toilets and bathtubs and handrails in stairways and hallways. Have a handyman or family member help with this if necessary,” according to Everyday Health.
- Light up dark spaces. Poor lighting is another reason seniors tend to fall, especially when they are visually impaired. Install brighter bulbs in dark rooms, hallways, and staircases, and include nightlights in hallways and bathrooms for better navigation at night.
- Avoid loose clothing. Baggy trousers and pajama pants, or long robes, gowns and dresses can easily trigger a trip or fall. Wear proper-fitting clothing that is appropriate for the season and will not get caught underfoot.
- Wear shoes or socks with traction. Hospitals provide socks with rubber imprints on the bottom to help with traction and prevent patients from falling. Socks can easily cause a slip on a bare floor, so it is recommended seniors wear good shoes or “hospital-style” socks for better traction and fewer falls.
- Make it non-slippery when wet. Kitchen and bathroom floors, tubs, and showers are notoriously dangerous for seniors because the porcelain or tile surfaces become very slippery when wet. Make it less slippery by using non-slip mats.
- Live on one level. We have already established that stairs can be difficult to negotiate for seniors and pose a real danger of falling. Seniors should try to live on one level if at all possible and limit the number of trips necessary going up and down the stairs.
- Move more carefully. Have you ever gotten a head rush from standing up too fast? It’s better to take your time and move more carefully when rising out of bed to a seated position, and from sitting to standing to avoid dizziness and instability.
- Join a preventative exercise program. “Many community centers, gyms, and health systems offer exercise programs for older adults aimed at preventing falls. These exercise regimens focus on improving balance and strengthening muscles. A physical therapist can also recommend exercise programs and assistive devices, if necessary, to keep you safe.”
I have battled gravity myself on a number of occasions, and it is scary to feel so vulnerable and fearful of future falls. The CDC explains, “Even when there’s no serious injury, a fall can be so frightening that people may avoid certain activities out of fear they’ll fall again. And that's not unreasonable, because if you fall once, your chance of falling again doubles.”
Home Helpers® is in the business of providing aid and protection for seniors to live independently at home for as long as possible. We make independent living safer and easier for seniors every day, and our team of caregivers is highly skilled and trained at making sure their clients are safe from tripping and falling hazards in and around their residence.
Home Helpers® makes independent living easier for seniors, and I’m happy to offer a FREE Assessment to discuss needs and recommend specific in-home care services we can provide to keep them safe from falling, improve their overall quality of life, and preserve their senior independence for as long as possible.
Home Helpers® Bourbonnais/Kankakee/Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact me today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® - We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238
Sources: