6 Suggestions for Seniors to Stay Steady and Prevent Falls
Author: Home Helpers of Kankakee and Frankfort
For nearly two years, a compassionate Home Helpers caregiver was helping an elderly woman in her 90s who lived alone. She cherished her independence and insisted on doing many things on her own. Her daughter lived in Michigan and would visit a few times each year.
After the elderly woman had fallen a few times and suffered an especially nasty fall one night, her daughter decided to move her to an assisted living facility nearby.
Another case that comes to mind involves a senior man with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that causes the loss of balance, which resulted in him experiencing multiple falls.
Our care team at Home Helpers has helped hundreds of seniors over the years, and I can honestly say that the majority of them have suffered at least one fall for various reasons, and statistics support this.
- Every 11 seconds, a senior is seen in an emergency department after having suffered a fall.
- More than one in four seniors aged 65+ falls each year in America.
- Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including more than 800,000 hospitalizations.
- The financial toll for seniors falling is expected to reach more than $101 billion by 2030, due to our ever-increasing aging population.
According to the National Council on Aging, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten senior safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.”
We all know seniors who have fallen. Many of our Home Helpers clients reported having fallen before beginning in-home care services, and they have an inherent fear of falling again.
September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and knowing the serious nature of fall injuries suffered by seniors, I want to review six suggestions for seniors to stay steady and prevent falls as recommended by the Illinois Extension, an organization at the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
- Find a good balance and exercise program to help improve balance, build strength, and increase flexibility. To make it more enjoyable and promote accountability, bring a friend along!
- Ask your primary care provider about a fall risk assessment and let them know about any falls you’ve experienced.
- Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if some side effects may increase your risk of falling. Always take medications as they are prescribed.
- Get annual vision and hearing exams and ensure eyeglasses are updated if necessary. Your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet.
- Talk to your family members and enlist support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Falls are not just a senior issue.
- Keep your home safe by removing tripping hazards, increasing lighting in darker rooms, corridors, and staircases, to ensure stairs can be navigated safely, and installing grab bars in or near the tub, shower, and toilet.
“Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality-of-life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, they limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness,” says the NCOA.
At Home Helpers, our mission is to provide the support necessary for seniors to continue living independently at home for as long as possible. Every day, our experienced caregivers help make life easier and safer by offering compassionate care that preserves dignity and enhances quality of life.
To ensure each family receives the right level of support, I proudly offer a FREE Assessment. During this consultation, we’ll discuss your senior loved one’s unique needs, and I will create a personalized care plan designed to promote independence and well-being. I’ll also provide a home safety check to identify potential fall risks and make recommendations to help keep your senior loved one safe at home.
Home Helpers® Kankakee & Frankfort is honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights 2025 Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providersand to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards 2025, in addition to the Daily Journal’s Readers’ Choice Award 2025.
Home Helpers® 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 our office today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® - We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238
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