Fall Prevention for Seniors
Each year, countless seniors break and fracture bones due to slips, trips, and falls. According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths to individuals age 65 and older. Something as simple as tripping over a rug or slipping on a wet spot on the kitchen floor can be life-threatening. Hip fractures are a particular danger. The recovery period can take up to 12 months, may require transitional care, and comes with a significant risk of life-threatening complications.
Older adults are more prone to falling due to failing
eyesight, hearing problems, stiff or painful joints, less muscle tone, and poor
coordination, among other reasons. Heart diseases, diabetes,
thyroid problems, blood vessel problems, and nerve damage can also affect their
balance. Sometimes medications cause dizziness and can result in a fall.
Your senior loved one may wish to age in the comfort of his
or her own home. It is crucial, then, to implement fall prevention measures to
keep their living space safe. Visiting Angels home
care services has a Safe
and Steady Fall Prevention Resource Guide that can help you identify risk
factors in your senior loved one's home and take steps to reduce the risks of
suffering a fall. It contains essential information about
·
Physical, emotional, and social impacts of falls
·
Environmental risk factors
·
Precautions you can take
·
Easy home modifications to reduce seniors' risk
of falling at home
·
Lifestyle changes that can further reduce fall
risks for seniors
Having a companion
home caregiver can help your loved one stay safe and comfortable in their
home, preventing falls and injury. The caregiver can help to maintain a safe
and tidy home. He or she can lend a helping hand with day-to-day tasks. If your
senior loved one's physical health puts them at high risk for falls, private duty
care services could help with activities such as dressing, bathing, and
mobility.
Fear of falling should not stop your senior from staying
active. A home caregiver can engage your senior in an exercise program that's
right for them, such as taking walks or gardening. Your loved one will get
regular exercise to improve strength and muscle tone and keep joints,
ligaments, and tendons flexible.
Home
caregivers for seniors will provide peace of mind in the event of an injury
or accident. In a worst-case scenario, a senior could fall and remain on the floor,
be injured for several hours or days because they live alone, cannot move, or
are unable to make a phone call. Professionally-trained
caregivers regularly check in, call and visit elderly clients to ensure
they are cared for and safe. Should a senior suffer a fall or accident, an HHA-certified
home caregiver will be able to get help quickly.
For more information on fall prevention and home care
services, please call 617-795-2727.
About Visiting Angels
Newton/Canton
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency
providing high-caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with
disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our in-home senior care,
respite care, elder companion care, live-in and 24-hour care, dementia and
Alzheimer's care, transitional aid, and at-home
living assistance services in Brookline, Boston, Canton, Dedham, Natick,
Needham, Newton, Norwood, Stoughton, Watertown, Wellesley, Westwood, and nearby
communities. The non-medical care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can
make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life.
