One fall is bad enough for an aging adult. A second fall or worse, repeated falls, can cause serious injuries that have a serious impact on the rest of that person’s life. Seniors who experience repeated falls may be dealing with multiple issues. Family caregivers need to figure out what is causing those falls so that they can put solutions in place. Home care providers can help in multiple ways.
Muscle Weakness and Balance Problems
As seniors age, they might experience a decline in muscle strength and balance. This happens because of aging, because of reduced physical activity, or even because of health issues. Elder care providers can help seniors remember to use assistive devices like a cane and engage in regular physical activity to rebuild muscle.
Reduced Physical Activity
If being more sedentary is the main cause of repeated falls, seniors need to talk to their doctors about what amount of exercise is right for them. Increasing physical activity, even by a little bit, can help seniors to grow stronger and therefore reduce their risk of falling. Some seniors need additional help, like physical therapy, to target their specific issues more accurately.
Vision Issues
Vision problems are another possible cause of repeated falls. Seniors may be dealing with cataracts, reduced vision, or even undiagnosed eye diseases. Subtle vision changes can be difficult to notice, too, so seniors may not be aware that their vision has declined as much as it has. Regular eye exams help them to stay on top of their vision issues.
Chronic Health Issues
Chronic health conditions like arthritis or diabetes can affect mobility and balance. Many of these conditions also cause pain and reduced physical activity, further contributing to a fall. Home care providers can offer support with lifestyle changes that help seniors to keep these health issues under better control.
Medication Side Effects
Because of health conditions, seniors might be taking a variety of different medications. The side effects from these medications can have side effects that make a fall more likely, too. Dizziness, drowsiness, and alertness are some of the major side effects to watch for with medications. A medication review helps seniors to stay on top of whether medications are still working well for them or not.
Environmental Hazards
For some seniors, their home is a fall risk for them. Their home may be cluttered or the furniture could be arranged in a way that is awkward to navigate. Safety hazards like a lack of grab bars, slippery floors, and home maintenance that is overdue are all big problems. Home care providers can help seniors stay on top of these issues, ensuring that seniors are safe at home.
Cognitive impairments
If seniors are dealing with cognitive changes, like the ones that come with dementia, they could be experiencing disorientation and confusion that make falls more likely. Seniors with cognitive impairments might also be making choices that leave them more susceptible to a fall.
Improper Footwear
Bad-fitting shoes or no shoes at all might seem to be a minor risk for falls, but it’s more important than most people realize. Seniors may not have good footing when they’re barefoot, so they need the support of well-fitting shoes. Wearing these shoes during the day can help seniors to avoid falling.
Home care providers can do so much to help seniors stay safe as they age in place. Especially if seniors are at risk of falling repeatedly, they need to have support consistently to avoid potential risk factors.