Statistics show that one out of every three seniors suffer from falls each year. What’s more worrying is the fact that only a handful of seniors talk to their doctors about their falling incidents. It doesn’t end there. Statistics also indicate that falls are the number one cause of injuries in old people.
They result in cuts, hip fractures, joint dislocations and in the worse cases, head and brain injuries. Experts also explain that even in cases where falls do not cause serious injuries, they still scare seniors. So they end up avoiding specific activities out of fear that they will fall again.
Fortunately, there are a number of preventive measures you can put in place to avoid falls. Such measures include:
Cleaning Up Clutter
Remove any form of clutter if you live with an older person. These include old newspapers, magazines, food crumbs and even children toys. Be particularly attentive to the staircase and hallway areas.
Then while you are at it, repair those rickety stairs, get rid of slippery floors and dangling electric cords. The goal here is to simply ensure the surface on which an older person walks is free of anything that can trigger a fall or make a senior trip over.
Eliminate Tripping Hazards
Tripping hazards come in so many forms from those necessary home fixtures to children toys on the floor. To get rid of them, start by examining all of your rooms as well as the hallway. Be on the lookout for other tripping hazards like loose carpets, wood floorboards that stick up and slippery throw rugs.
Note that this is not a measure you will put in place and completely forget about. Make a habit of examining your whole house for tripping hazards from time to time especially if you have a lot of children’s toys. Make any necessary repairs and remove whatever is unnecessary and replace what is old.
Consider Hand Rails and Grab Bars
Hand rails are crucial to help seniors with ascending and descending the stairs. Rails and grab bars also come in handy for getting on and off the toilet seat or stepping in and out of the bathtub.
Remember though that you will still need a family member or a professional caregiver to help your aging loved one find his or her balance from time to time. Then as for climbing up and down the stairs, look for an alternative that does not involve the use of stairs. For example you could consider the senior living in a room downstairs with toilet and bathing facilities installed.
Lighting
Inadequate or poor lighting at home is one of the most common falling hazards. It is important to create a home that is comfortable and more suitable for seniors. Invest in brighter lights but make sure they are not too bright for an older person’s eyes. Make sure that there is adequate lighting for narrow hallways and corridors. You can also add night lights with motion sensors for easy guidance at night.
Wear Shoes
While socks are comfortable, they bring slipping risks with them. A better alternative is to get your senior loved one to walk inside the home with shoes that have enough traction. Another idea is to buy non-slip socks that have firm grips on the soles of the feet.
Taking care of elderly people is a challenge at times but it is very rewarding. Do you have what it takes to be a caregiver and offer in home services to seniors? We have caregiver positions open for the right people. Find out more here.
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