As rampant as elderly falls are, many of them could be totally prevented. By research, at least 1 elderly person falls every 30-40 seconds. This means that seniors are likely to experience complications relating to falls even more than other health problems. Falls could affect their general wellbeing and have them coming in and out of the hospital which can be problematic.
Having someone who’s of elderly age around you means you have put preventive measures in place to keep them from falling because of the fact that they are prone to falls.
Tips To Prevent Falls In The Elderly
Ensure There Are No Existing Health Issues That Could Result In Falls
Health issues could range from eye defects to experiencing random dizziness and so many others. Knowing their health condition definitely helps to cross off the possibility of falling randomly. Also, this helps you map out health conditions that might require urgent attention.
Carry Out A Revamp On Their Living Situation
Most falls are likely to occur as a result of either living in a cluttered environment, a nursing home, or due to the fact that their home is not elderly-friendly. You can simply start by ensuring things aren’t just laying around the house. Ensure that every part of their home is well lit. This would help them see clearly. Also, installing grab bars around the bathroom area should be helpful. Once this can be achieved, it would definitely help in drastically reducing the risk of falling.
Adopting Walking Aids Might Be the Way To Go
Loss of strength can be directly tied to elderly falls. Medications and therapy might help them regain balance and strength to some extent but not all seniors can fully function without assistance. This is why walking aids should be considered. It would serve as a support for them and lower the chances of falling. Walking aids could range from walkers to canes, walking frames and so many others
Stairway Barriers Should Be Very Sturdy
Almost all seniors find it difficult to use stairs without holding on to handrails. It would be disastrous if one of the guardrails has a structural flaw. This can put your elderly at risk of falling and also sustaining severe injuries. You can prevent this by either installing new stairway barriers or double-checking the existing ones. This undoubtedly helps to prevents elderly falls.
In conclusion, ensure that the senior stays physically active in order for their muscles and joints to remain functional. All of these would definitely help to prevent elderly falls.
