As we all get older, the risk of falling increases and so do the consequences. Did you know that one in four senior Americans falls every year? And that one in five of those cause serious injuries such as a broken bone or head trauma? The question of falling often is more of a when than an if. So what can you do to prevent falls? If you or a loved one is above 65, here are four simple things you can do to help prevent.
Acknowledging the Situation
The biggest thing you can do to help yourself and your loved ones are to acknowledge the situation. Many older adults recognize that falling is a risk, but they believe it won’t happen to them or they won’t get hurt—even if they’ve already fallen in the past. Accepting that it can happen to anyone is the hardest part, but the most important step in fall prevention. Those who are on their guard and cautious about falling are rarely the ones who end up in the hospital with a broken bone.
Current Health and Medications
Understanding the senior’s current health challenges can shed some light on where problems might occur. Ask about the medications they are taking and if they experience any side effects. Some medications have side effects such as dizziness, forgetfulness, drowsiness, nausea, bowel and bladder problems, and loss of coordination.
These side effects may cause the senior to take an unnecessary trip to the bathroom or other rooms of the home while being compromised through dizziness or other side effects.
A Safer Home
In an ideal situation, the entirety of the senior’s home would be on one floor without steps or stairs. Knowing that this is rarely the case, it is important that the senior can move from room to room without assistance. Look for key places where a fall could happen, such as a stairwell, the shower, and bathroom, or a step up from one room to the other. Evaluate these areas and make sure there are suitable handrails for stability easily accessible to the senior.
There may also be some areas of the home where the lighting is insufficient, making it hard for the senior to see steps or handrails. Make sure there is good lighting throughout the house. Light switches should also be accessible and easy to find at night.
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