Each year, millions of Americans aged 65+ experience a serious fall. According to statistics compiled by the CDC, one in four older adults fall annually, but fewer than half inform their doctor about the accident. Research would also indicate that falling once doubles a senior’s risk for falling again. Sadly, a fear of falling also keeps many seniors from getting the physical activity they need. For that senior loved one in your life, these five fall prevention tips could be the key to a better tomorrow.
Fall Statistics in the Elderly
After falling, more than three million older Americans- or roughly one every 11 seconds- are treated in emergency departments and urgent care centers every year. Over 800,000 are hospitalized for fall-related injuries and some lose their independence permanently as a result.
Here are more sobering statistics about senior falls:
- One-in-five falls cause serious injuries like head trauma or broken bones.
- Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.
- At the current rate, by 2030 there will be seven deaths every hour due to falls.
- In 2015 alone, Medicare and Medicaid paid out $37 billion in claims for fall-related incidents.
Why Are Seniors More Fall-Prone?
Doctors have identified these conditions, or risk factors, that contribute to falling:
- Vision loss
- Poor balance and coordination
- Lower body weakness
- Foot pain or inadequate footwear
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Certain medications that affect balance and coordination
- Trip-and-fall hazards around the home
Fall Prevention Tips for Your Senior Loved One
Doing everything possible to keep your aging loved one from falling starts with these tips:
Offer your assistance
Respectfully share your concerns with your loved one and offer to help. If you face resistance at first, show them some fall statistics and discuss specific examples of seniors they know who were injured after falling. Once you have their approval it’ll be time to proceed.
Have their balance tested
Holding onto walls or furniture just to get around could indicate that your loved one’s balance and coordination are off. Take them to the doctor or physical therapist so that they can conduct a Fall Risk Assessment. Based on the results, discuss with the healthcare professional specific ways that you can help. If needed, find them a walker or cane to help support their weight.
Encourage exercise
Because regular exercise improves balance, coordination, and lower body strength, encourage your loved one to participate in low-impact forms of exercise like yoga, walking, or cycling. If they have limited mobility, workouts like swimming or water aerobics provide the same health benefits without placing additional stress on achy joints.
Safe proof their home
Ways to make the home environment safer include:
- Bathroom. Install grab bars in the bathing area and near the toilet. Place non-skid strips in the tub and remove slippery throw rugs from the room. Make sure the bathroom has adequate lighting and, if needed, get a shower seat and hand-held shower nozzle.
- Trip hazards. Eliminate trip and fall hazards around the home, like small furniture, electrical cords, and area rugs.
- Stairways. Attach secure railings on both sides of the stairs and make sure that the steps are well lit. If your loved one suffers from poor vision, place fluorescent strips on the front of each step.
Get their vision tested
If your senior squints a lot while watching TV, take them to the eye doctor for an examination. Sometimes a new pair of eyeglasses goes a long way in preventing falls. If they have bifocals make sure they know how to use them safely while negotiating stairs.
If you’d like to learn more about fall prevention for your senior loved one, or how to be a more effective caregiver, read the book Thriving at Home: A Handbook for Preventing Hospital Stays by Dave Tasto. For more information about how to obtain a copy of Dave’s book visit www.thrivingathomehealth.com.
An Extended Family in Your Loved One’s Home
Helping an aging loved one avoid falls isn’t easy when you are busy or live far away. When you need an extended family in the home, contact Assisting Hands Home Care. While proudly serving seniors and families in communities Northwest of Boston, Assisting Hands provides professional in-home health services that allow our clients to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes.
From a few hours a day to around the clock, our client-centered services include respite care, personal care, hospice care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s support, and Veteran’s support. At Assisting Hands, we deliver quality home care you can trust! To learn more now about our dependable caregivers, or to schedule a consultation for a senior in our service area, please visit us at Assisting Hands – Boston Northwest.
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