Falls in the elderly can be fatal. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury and death in people over the age of 65. A quarter of patients with hip fractures will die within a year, and half will experience a significant loss of independence, such as being forced to move from a community home to long-term care. Companion care at home care can help implement tons of changes, including the layout of a senior’s home to prevent falls.
Companion Care at Home Queens NY – Companion Care at Home: Reasons Why Seniors May Fall A Lot
Believe it or not, stumbling or tripping is not the number one cause of falls. Mobility issues or incorrect transfers of body weight lead to falls the most. This is also why exercise can be so crucial for seniors to do weekly or daily. It is something that companion care at home can help with and change things in the home. Stretching and weight lifting will help a senior stay mobile and maintain muscle mass.
Seniors may know they are falling but may try to break the fall in ways that do not help them. The best way to prevent falls is by keeping active and healthy. It is not always easy to do this but working out even as a person ages is so important to remain mobile and prevent falls.
Here are other ways you and their companion care at home providers can do to prevent falls too.
How to Prevent Falls with Companion Care at Home Help
The number one thing companion care at home can help a senior do is stay mobile. This means helping a senior create a workout routine that is easy to stick to. There are also other ways to prevent falls or even emergency response systems that can help other professionals get to a senior who has already fallen.
Regular Doctor Checkups
If a senior is experiencing regular dizziness it is important to get checked out by a doctor. The dizziness could be because of medications or other diseases that make it easier to fall on a regular basis. A doctor may change around medication or ask the senior to start taking it at a different time.
Clear Out Space
Sometimes seniors collect clutter which can make it hard to move around. It is time to clean up these spaces to make it easier to navigate. If a senior wants to age in place it is going to be important to downsize and keep the house clear of junk on the floor.
Appropriate Shoes
Seniors should wear well-fitted shoes. If they don’t fit right they could make it harder to walk in or lead to more falling. It is important to also have well-fitted clothing. If the clothing is dragging on the floor or trailing a senior it could also lead to falling.
Stay Active
The more active we are, the less a senior will fall. As they age they may slow down but it is crucial to never stop moving. They can garden, walk, or lift small weights all at home. This will help their mobility. If they can’t do this, it may be time to think about physical therapy.
