Because a fall can be so harmful for seniors, the best step for families is to work out a fall prevention plan. There are so many ways that they can do this, but it helps to have help from home care providers who understand the risks that seniors encounter every day. The right fall prevention plan starts with the basics and builds out to encompass the special needs each senior faces.
Get Back to Basics
The simple, basic tips for preventing falls are the ones that work the best. Handrails installed throughout the house allow seniors to have something to hold onto when they feel unsteady. Removing loose carpet, slippery throw rugs, and other tripping hazards keeps the floor as safe as possible. Nightlights in darker areas and hallways ensure that seniors can see obstacles in their way. Elder care providers can help family caregivers learn more about what basic fall prevention looks like.
Encourage Assistive Devices
If seniors are unsteady on their feet, assistive devices might be just the thing to help them stay upright. Using a cane or a walker might not feel all that fun for seniors at first, but these tools allow them to keep their balance and help them to walk safely. The more that seniors practice using these tools, the easier it is to use them properly, which further improves senior safety.
Get Hearing and Vision Checks
Both hearing and vision can play a big role in helping seniors to avoid a fall. If seniors have trouble seeing obstacles, that’s an obvious issue. But hearing trouble can affect balance as well. Issues with both hearing and vision might mean that seniors are more at risk for falling than they realize. Routine checks help seniors to stay on top of what they need going forward.
Remind Seniors to Slow Down
Home care providers can help seniors remember to take it easy, especially when they’re standing up from a seated position. Taking their time to adjust as they start to rise means that seniors are less likely to throw themselves off balance as they stand up. It’s even more important for seniors to take their time when they’ve been lying down and want to get up and walk around.
Do a Medication Review with Medical Providers
Many of the medications that seniors take to manage health issues come with side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. If seniors take more than one medication with some of these side effects, the combination could be even more dramatic for them. Taking the time to check in with medical providers about what medications seniors are taking gives everyone a chance to talk openly about how the medication affects daily life. Sometimes adjusting dosages or switching to a different medication can help to reduce fall risk significantly.
It’s always better for seniors to avoid falling than to heal from one. Since so much about fall prevention involves staying aware of what’s happening, home care providers can be a huge help as seniors learn more about what to do to keep themselves safer.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Houston, TX, please contact the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care today. Call (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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