One of the biggest types of accidents that seniors experience is a fall. These accidents are so dangerous because seniors can experience serious injuries that follow them for the rest of their lives. If seniors are planning to age in place, they have to put a fall prevention plan in place. Home care assistance providers can work with families to offer suggestions that make a huge difference.
Understand Why Falls Are So Dangerous
The older seniors get, the more likely they are to experience problems like balance issues, muscle weakness, and vision problems. They may also be taking medications that cause dizziness, drowsiness, or other side effects that could lead to a fall. Environmental factors like damage in the home or too much clutter can also make a fall more likely. If a senior does fall, The Centers for Disease Control says that they are twice as likely to have another fall. Even a small fall could lead to sprains, fractures, head injuries, and more. These types of injuries may not be easy for seniors to heal.
Declutter the Home
Removing clutter is a great way to reduce tripping hazards at home for seniors. Excess furniture, appliance cords, and other obstacles need to get out of the way. Home care providers can help families keep tabs on clutter and keep it at bay.
Look for Safety Modifications to Make
There might also be safety modifications seniors can make at home. Adding mats with non-slip backing, installing handrails, and looking for other ways to keep seniors safe at home are great ideas. Home care assistance providers have experience that can help families understand how seniors can be safer.
Fix Lighting Issues
Poor lighting means that it’s tougher for seniors to see possible hazards that are in their way. Brightening up areas like stairways, hallways, and bathrooms helps to prevent falls. Motion-sensing lights work well in some of these areas and allow seniors to focus on maintaining their footing.
Start Moving More
Seniors should talk with their doctors about the idea of moving more, too. Improving balance and regaining strength can be crucial aspects of a senior’s fall prevention plan. Home care assistance can help seniors stay on target with their fitness goals.
Eat Well and Hydrate
If seniors aren’t eating well, their bodies don’t have what they need to stay safe and healthy. Home care providers can help seniors stick to the diets that their doctors recommend while also ensuring they’re eating enough. Eating too little, getting too few nutrients, and dehydration can all lead to a fall. This is such a simple way to help seniors prevent a fall.
Get Help from Home Care Assistance
There are so many other ways that home care assistance providers can help aging adults stay safe at home. Senior care providers are there to offer daily support and supervision, which helps family caregivers have peace of mind, too. Home care assistance can alert families about changes that might need to be addressed to keep seniors safer.
Avoiding falls doesn’t have to be complicated. Putting a plan together, working with home care assistance, and addressing health issues is a great way to get started.