Protect your aging parents with these elderly fall prevention recommendations. Be proactive and remove potential hazards.
Many caregivers involved in the elder care of aging parents don't realize how many fall hazards can be found in the common household until their elderly parent takes a bad fall and breaks a leg or hip and is hospitalized for months.
If you care for elderly parents in the home, fall prevention must also be taken into consideration in order to provide a safe and secure living environment for your loved ones
Here's an alarming statistic: nearly one in three seniors living in their own home or the home of adult children caregivers suffers from serious elderly falls at least once every year.
It should also be mentioned that nearly half the seniors who suffer from a serious fracture, such as a hip, pelvic or spinal fracture, never completely recover from the injury. Add to that medical complications created through immobility or bed-ridden conditions and almost 25% die within six months to a year following such an injury.
Can such statistics be reduced? Yes. Fall Prevention, with diligence and attention, such elderly falls risks to seniors may be alleviated or even prevented.
Believe it or not, one of the best ways to help prevent elderly falls is to make sure they get enough activity and exercise. Sedentary elders fall more often than those who stay as fit and as physically active as possible. Help your parent maintain his or her balance, strength, flexibility and coordination. Help Mom or Dad maintain as much independence as possible.
Feeling useless may lead to depression and lack of interest in daily activities, so try to make sure that you are offering the help and security your elderly parents needs, while at the same time encouraging him or her to do as much for themselves as possible.
Also be aware that medications and medical conditions may alter vision acuity, depth perception, or may cause dizziness and confusion. Speak with your aging parent's doctor about the side effects of the medication he or she is on and adapt the home environment accordingly.
Here are just a few of the things to look for in your home or your parent's home to ensure stability and safety and possibly reduce elderly falls. Then make modifications as necessary.
Whenever possible, avoid the need for the elderly parent to navigate stairways. Move your parent downstairs if at all possible. Short stairways benefit from ramps. Make sure handrails are accessible and secure!
Kitchens and bathrooms create special fall hazards. Take care to adapt these areas according to need and safety issues.
Throughout the home, additional measures may be taken to ensure elderly-friendly environments.
Do whatever you can to reduce the risk of elderly falls in your home. Taking simple measures provides effective fall prevention in most scenarios. A few dollars spent now may potentially save thousands and serious injury down the line.
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Dec 28, 20 12:23 PM
My mother is 93, in good health, no major heath issues, totally ambulatory. When my father died 6 years ago we found her a beautiful independent senior
Dec 28, 20 12:21 PM
So I lost my mom 18 months ago. After her passing I would come to my parents house to clean and cook a couple of times a week for my dad. He still gets
Dec 28, 20 12:18 PM
I came back home in 2004 to help my dad as he had cancer, he eventually passed away few years later. Well here I am am in 2020 still at home taking care