Falls are serious incidents for our aging loved ones. Exactly how serious? Consider these facts according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
- Between the years 2007 and 2016, the rates of mortality caused by falling increased to 30%
- Every year, about a million American seniors (aged 65+) have experienced a fall
- For every five elderly falls, one of these results in broken hips and head injury
- For every four elderly persons, one of these falls every year, and less than half of these adults report to their doctor
As a provider of home care service in Upland, California, we help prevent fall incidents at home. Why is elderly fall prevention important? Falls can result in the following risky circumstances:
- Broken bones, including those of the arms, wrists, ankles, and hips
- Head injuries, which can result in traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of blood (especially if the affected person is taking blood-thinning medicines, which makes blood clotting difficult)
- Fear of having another fall, which affects their quality of life
- Disability
- Death
Even with the above figures, there remain the risk factors of elderly falls. These include the following:
- Deficiency in vitamin D (important for stronger bones)
- Age-related physical weakness especially at the lower extremities
- Difficulty in maintaining balance
- Medication side effects (applicable for senior persons who are taking sedatives or antidepressants)
- Vision problems
- Presence of hazards at home (common for senior individuals who are living alone at home)
Because of these risky occurrences of falling, we need to be proactive in preventing falls at home. As a home care provider in San Bernardino, California, we suggest the following preventive measures:
- Accompany your aging loved one to their doctor’s checkup.
You need to find out if there is an underlying illness that could have caused the falls they have just had. This is also an opportunity to have your loved one checked for any eye problem. When they are not able to see with clarity, their tendency to fall increases. - Exercise.
While our senior loved ones may find it less appealing to exercise, let us still encourage them to stay active. Activities such as a supervised walk around the neighborhood can be a big help to improve their strength and balance. - Ensure that you have installed safety measures at home.
With help from a non-medical home care provider, you can make your home fall-proof. The common safety measures include installing grab bars in bathrooms, putting non-skid mats on the floors, and making the hallway lights brighter.
Final thoughts:
If your aging loved one already had a fall accident, make sure that their doctor will check them. Assess their health status to prevent more serious consequences. At Motherly Comfort Home Care LLC, we will help you address the care needs of an aging family member who is at risk of falls at home.
Feeling curious about our services? Inquire today!