According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths caused by falls increased 30 percent between the years of 2007 and 2016. They say that based on these statistics, if the fall rate keeps rising, by 2030 seven people in the United States will die every hour because of a fall. Older adults are at greater risk for falls than younger adults because of several factors, including weakness, vision problems, and balance issues. Fortunately, there are ways older adults can lessen the chances of taking a serious fall. One way to keep seniors safer is to hire elderly care to assist them around their homes and when running errands. Below are 5 ways elderly care providers can help to prevent falls in your older family member.
#1: Removing Household Clutter
Having clutter lying about the house makes it more likely that older adults will trip. This is especially true if objects stick out into walkways. If your aging relative has a habit of stacking up old papers or magazines, an elderly care provider can help to clear up the clutter. Elderly care providers can place old reading materials in the recycling bin and pick up other objects that could cause the senior to trip.
#2: Assistance with Walking and Stairs
An elderly care provider can assist seniors who have difficulty getting up from chairs to stand without falling. They can also walk with them from room to room, holding their arm or reminding them to use walking aids to reduce the risk of falling. Stairs can be especially dangerous and require more leg strength to navigate, which an elderly care provider can also assist with.
#3: Changing Lightbulbs
When older adults can’t see well, they may be more likely to misstep and fall. Proper lighting can help them to see better. However, age can make it difficult to climb on ladders or chairs to change lightbulbs, so they may go unchanged until a family member is available to help. An elderly care provider who stops by a few times a week can make sure lightbulbs are changed in a timely manner so that the house is well-lit.
#4: Purchasing Good Footwear
Footwear that fits well and has non-skid soles makes it less likely the senior will slip. All shoes eventually wear out, but when a senior cannot drive, they may have difficulty getting to the store to buy new ones. An elderly care provider can drive them to a shoe store and help them to pick out and try on shoes.
#5: Staying Physically Active
It might seem counterintuitive to add more physical activity into a senior’s life to prevent falling. In fact, some seniors avoid activity because they are afraid of falling. However, doctors at the Mayo Clinic say that one of the best ways to reduce the risk of falls is to stay physically active. Exercise strengthens muscles, improves balance, and keeps the body more flexible. An elderly care provider can help your loved one to be more active by going for walks with them, driving them to exercise facilities, and involving them in physical activities at home.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/prevent-slips-falls#1
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED-ONE ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN SMITHFIELD, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.