Are you aware that one out of every four senior citizens in America have a fall each year? For persons 65 years of age and older, falls are the most common cause of nonfatal and fatal injuries. Falls can include brain injuries, shattered bones, and hip fractures. Additionally, even minor injuries from falls can make an older adult afraid or sad, which makes it challenging for them to maintain an active senior lifestyle. Helping an elderly neighbor, grandparent, or parent lower their probability of falling is an excellent approach to ensure that they remain independent and healthy for as long as they can.
Here are some tips on how you can limit fall risks for your loved one. These pieces of advice are the same ones that are applied in senior living communities in Overland Park, KS to ensure the safety of residents.
Health Conditions
Find out if your elderly loved one is having any difficulties taking care of their own health. Or are they having adverse effects? Are they having issues managing to take their medication? Are the activities they used to perform effortlessly becoming more challenging for them to complete? Additionally, confirm that they are utilizing all of the preventative services currently covered by Medicare. Encourage them to discuss all of their worries with their healthcare physician in an open and honest manner.
Eye Checkups
Make sure your elderly loved one has a valid prescription and is wearing their glasses according to the eye doctor’s instructions if they wear glasses. Keep in mind that wearing tint-changing glasses might be dangerous when entering homes and buildings with dark interiors after being in the bright sun. A quick tactic is to switch glasses as soon as you enter or to pause until their lenses are adjusted. It’s necessary to exercise caution when using bifocals on staircases. Consult a low-vision professional for advice on how to maximize your vision if you already have low vision.
Difficulties with Mobility
Look to see whether they are walking while holding onto walls, objects, or other people, or if they look to be having trouble getting out of a chair or walking. These are all indications that a visit to a physiotherapist could be necessary. An experienced physiotherapist can use exercise to assist an elderly loved one regain their stability, stamina, and mobility. Additionally, they can recommend a walking stick or walker and offer instructions on how to utilize them. Make careful to heed their recommendations. The danger of falling might also be increased by improperly fitted devices.
Medications
Encourage your elderly loved one to talk to their physician and pharmacist about their worries if they are having trouble remembering to take their medications or if they are suffering adverse affects. Encourage them to have their prescriptions checked each time they receive a new one. Perhaps a chart can be used to keep track of dosages and schedules, or installing a timed medicine dispenser that alerts you or your dear one when a prescription needs to be refilled can make them feel more at ease and enable them to follow a recommended regimen. Encourage your elderly loved one to consult their pharmacist or physician about safer options if they are having trouble sleeping.
