Fall Prevention for Seniors in Chino, CA
Fall prevention programs are important to help seniors stay safe and healthy at home. As the top cause of serious injuries for seniors, falls can lead to hospitalization or life-changing issues that affect their ability to stay independent.
Falls are a leading cause of injury in seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three million emergency department visits were for older adult falls. They also note that falls are the leading cause of death for people over 65, whether from the injuries themselves or complications like broken bones.
A trusted in-home care provider, such as Visiting Angels®, can help lower your aging loved one's risk of falls. We'll give you and your family valuable tools and steps to reduce their chance of hospitalization or serious injury at home.
Our Safe and Steady® Fall Prevention Program is designed to help seniors avoid slipping, tripping, or falling. Caregivers are specially trained to develop personalized plans based on a senior's individual needs and home environment. By improving safety and mobility, the program helps seniors stay independent and enjoy life with confidence.
Why Is Fall Prevention Important for Seniors?
Older adult fall prevention is crucial because it can significantly affect seniors' safety, well-being, and quality of life. Beyond physical injuries, falls often lead to a loss of confidence and increased fear of falling again, which can further limit mobility and independence.
Seniors are more vulnerable to falls due to risk factors such as:
- Decreased strength
- Poor coordination
- Limited mobility
- Reduced eyesight
- Hearing loss
- Stiff or painful joints
- Cognitive disorders
- Taking multiple medications
Seniors are also more likely to suffer significant injuries when they fall. Hip fractures are common and can be dangerous. Recovery could take up to a year, may require transitional care at home, or be life-threatening. Most seniors never fully recover from a hip fracture, which might cause them to lose their autonomy.
You can lower your loved one's risk of falling by making changes in their home environment and monitoring for changes in their health. You can assess your aging loved one's fall risk with the CDC's Timed Up and Go test.
Signs Your Loved One May Be at Risk of Falling
Your loved one may be at risk of falling if you notice things like unexplained bruises or injuries, trouble standing up from sitting, using furniture or walls for support, or changes in how they walk.
These signs could mean they are having problems with strength, balance, or side effects from medication that are affecting their stability. It's important to watch for these signs and consider a fall risk screening. This can help you take preventive measures to keep your loved one safe at home.
The Risk of Falls During Transfer
We usually notice fall hazards in certain situations where it's obvious that someone might have trouble with strength or balance. But many falls happen during everyday movements that we don't even think about, like changing positions or moving to a different spot. These are called "transfer" falls and have the highest risk of a fall-related injury.
Some examples of transfers include:
- Getting in and out of the shower or bathtub
- Sitting down or standing up from a chair
- Getting in and out of bed
- Sitting down or standing up from the toilet
There are some simple interventions to reduce fall hazards and help with injury prevention, while allowing your loved one to remain at home.
How to Reduce the Risk of Falls at Home
Most dangerous falls happen in or around the home. Visiting Angels® can help you identify risk factors, such as:
- Getting a new mobility device
- Lack of grab bars in the bathroom
- Loose rugs or flooring
- Obstacles in pathways
- Recent illness or medication changes
We'll provide a home safety guide and checklist with easy modifications to help prevent falls at home. Education topics include:
- Design changes to reduce fall risk at home
- Environmental risk factors that increase fall risk
- Lifestyle changes to improve your loved one's balance
- Physical, social, and emotional health impacts of falls on older adults
- Precautions you can take at home
Exercises to Improve Strength and Balance
Preventing falls is often more than just a matter of balance. Seniors can benefit from physical activity and exercise programs like walking, tai chi, and yoga to improve balance and flexibility. Strength-training with resistance bands or light weights can also increase muscle strength and stability.
Our professional caregivers can help with implementing these exercises safely and making sure they are appropriate for your loved one's fitness level.
Get Started With Fall Prevention from Visiting Angels®
Our local Visiting Angels® home care office serves the greater Chino area, including Corona, Eastvale, Mira Loma, Montclair, Ontario, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Diamond Bar, Pomona, Walnut, West Covina, and Jurupa Valley.
Contact us to set up a free home care consultation and we can help determine the level of care your loved one and family need. After the consultation, the coordinator will develop a personalized home care plan and recommend a caregiver best suited to your loved one's unique needs.
Take the first step by setting up your free in-home care assessment with one of our expert senior care advisors, or give us a call at 909-590-9102.
Free Safe & Steady ® Fall Prevention Resource Guide
Fall prevention for older adults in the Chino, CA and surrounding areas is possible with focused, immediate action. You can start taking steps to protect your loved ones with our evidence-based fall prevention program and comprehensive toolkit.
Download "Safe & Steady ® Fall Prevention Resource Guide" for free.
Still have questions? Reach out to us today!
Serving Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Eastvale, Mira Loma, Ontario, Walnut, West Covina and Surrounding Communities
Visiting Angels CHINO, CA
13768 Roswell Avenue #212Chino, CA 91710
Phone: 909-590-9102
Fax: 909-590-9239
HCO #364700010