According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other research, more than one out of four Americans age 65+ falls each year. The numbers are astounding – 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year; over 800 a year are hospitalized, and most often because of a head injury or hip fracture. Falls impede an older adult’s ability to remain independent; hence, fall prevention is critical. 

To help your loved one safely age in place at home, Visiting Angels Gilroy offers fall prevention for seniors in Gilroy, CA, and surrounding areas. Learn how our program can help your loved one reduce the risks of slips, trips and falls. 

Why Elderly Fall Prevention Is Important 

Older adults are more likely to suffer falls than younger adults, with 1 in 4 seniors experiencing a severe fall every year. This is due to risk factors that are more common among older adults, including:

• Age-related changes to eyesight, hearing and reflexes.
• Certain conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or problems with their thyroid, nerves, feet or blood vessels.
• Distracted movementcausing rushing, such as incontinence and needing to get to the bathroom quickly. 
• Age-related loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia.
• Problems with balance, gait and significant drops in blood pressure. 
• Foot problems or stiff and painful joints that cause pain, unsafe or ill-fitting footwear. This can cause distraction, which could in turn cause a fall. 
• Dizziness or confusion caused by medications or dehydration increase one’s risk for falling.

Seniors are also more likely to suffer serious injuries when falls occur. In many cases, these injuries can have life-altering or life-threatening consequences.

Hip fractures are particularly dangerous. While younger adults may find themselves ready to return to work within a couple of months, recovery period for a hip fracture can take up to 12 months, may require transitional care at home, and has a significant risk of life-threatening complications. Most seniors are never able to move quite as well as they used to – they experience a significant decline in their ability to function independently.

The good news is you can reduce your loved one’s risk of falling through our program for elderly fall prevention in Gilroy, CA

How Our Fall Safety Program for the Elderly Reduces the Risk of Falls at Home

Two-thirds of those who fall do so again within six months. The interesting fact is that most falls occur on flat surfaces; falls on the stairs or bathroom at home tend to be rare, whereas falls in “care homes” tend to occur on the way to or from the bathroom. Nevertheless, the fact is – it is wise to eliminate risk as much as possible 

The Visiting Angels Safe and Steady® Fall Prevention Resource Guide can help you identify risk factors in your loved one's home and take steps to reduce the risks of a fall.

The guide is a great resource. It highlights why fall prevention and fall safety for the elderly is critical, and goes through the physical, social, and emotional health impacts of falls on older adults. It touches on environmental, physical, emotional and mental risk factors that could increase the likelihood of falls. It then provides valuable information that should help reduce fall risks.

The Safe and Steady® guide also includes a list of easy home modifications to reduce your loved one's risk of falling at home. It also contains a comprehensive home safety checklist.

Fall Prevention That’s Committed to Your Senior’s Safety

Fall prevention is a high priority for Visiting Angels. It should be everyone’s priority! We believe that it is wiser to prevent a problem than to be searching for a cure.

From the first day of our involvement with you or your loved one, we will gather information to help us formulate a fall prevention plan. There are a few preventable issues we take pride in slamming the door on—falls and dehydration.

And, you can bet that we are determined to keep our successful track record in fall prevention as we provide trusted:

• Companion care
• Personal care
• Alzheimer’s care
• Dementia care

Request a Free Consultation for Our Fall Prevention Program

When you contact the Visiting Angels Gilroy office, you will have a chance to determine if our services are right for you.

We proudly serve seniors in Gilroy, CA, and surrounding areas, including Morgan Hill, CA; San Martin, CA; San Juan Bautista, CA and Hollister, CA. 

When deemed appropriate, a free in-home consultation will be set up. The visit will provide an opportunity for you to receive information to help you make an intelligent decision as you choose your home care provider. We will also conduct an assessment and gather as much information as we can, to start the process of drafting an individualized care plan.

With a Visiting Angels’ caregiver by your loved one’s side, you or your loved one will receive knowledgeable, compassionate and dedicated care — and you will receive peace of mind because you will see that we know senior home care very well. When you are ready to get started, please call 408-846-2988 or email dorie@visitingangels.com.