Everyone toppled as a child. And children bounce right back up. Some children think falling is fun.

Unfortunately, in old age, falling is a more serious thing. In 2015, 2,603 adults over the age of 65 died as a direct or indirect result of a fall.

Why is falling so dangerous?

Falling is a serious risk to seniors over 65 because it frequently leads to injuries of the head, hips, and pelvis.

Head injuries can cause concussion which is complicated to treat in the old. Repeat concussion can lead to dementia or hasten its progress. Hip injuries in people over 65 often lead to hospitalization, infection, surgery, and reduced mobility.

Most importantly, falls often lead to voluntary or involuntary loss of independence. Many seniors who fall never go home; instead they go from the hospital to a nursing home. Falling, in other words, is about the most serious risk to his freedom that an older adult faces.

How to fall proof your senior’s home

There are a number of new and old ways to prevent your beloved parent or grandparent from falling. Elder care professionals have, for many years, recommended home modifications that prevent falls. These modifications include:

• Reducing clutter by removing boxes and newspapers from your senior’s usual pathways through the house; moving electrical cords from the floor and securing them to baseboards or placing them behind heavy pieces of furniture that are flush to the walls.
• Removing trip hazards like throw rugs, plant stands, coffee tables and other furniture that causes falls, or bolting these items to the walls.
• The addition of pull bars where needed, especially in the bathroom.
• Walk-in bathtubs.
• Non-slip mats and stickers on any smooth surface, especially the bathtub.

For Better Balance, Seniors Need to Keep Walking

After removing fall hazards from the home, the next best fall prevention is exercise. Walking is an excellent exercise to restore and improve balance. This is wonderful news because walking is free and does not require any equipment except for a decent pair of walking shoes. Moderate strength training exercise that works out the legs and core muscles is also valuable to seniors.

Some seniors will need the companionship of an elder care professional as they walk. Elder care professionals are trained to break falls if they should occur. Elder care providers can also anticipate hazards like dappled shade on a sidewalk or a construction project affecting the walkway. These professionals can recommend safe walks inside and outside the house and recommend the appropriate precautions for your loved one to take.

In short, falls are a serious risk for the elderly, but there are many ways to minimize that risk. Removing trip hazards from the home, installing equipment, and promoting exercise, especially walking, can help your senior stay independent and healthy.

Sources

http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/older-adult-falls-prevention/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/falls/index.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/improve-your-balance-by-walkin

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elder Care in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.