Fall Prevention at Home for Seniors in Richmond, VA and Nearby Areas
A major fall can make life very different for an older adult; not only can it impact the physically, but it can also impact their mental health and social life. For some elderly people, the fear of falling can be so great that they may skip out on crucial family gatherings or even stay home all day, especially if they've already experienced a fall-related injury. Choosing to stay home instead of spending time with others may cause anxiety, loneliness and isolation in seniors. One way to reduce the likelihood of falls is to identify potential hazards and eliminate them in the house. However, hazardous behaviors and ongoing health problems can also contribute to an increased likelihood of falling.
Fortunately, residents of Richmond, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump and the surrounding areas of Henrico and Hanover Counties, VA have benefited from Visiting Angels Richmond's at-home senior care services in the prevention of hazardous falls since 2007. Thanks to our personalized approach to home care and team of dedicated caregivers, you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one will be in good hands.
Call 804-353-0000Â or fill out our form to learn how Visiting Angels Richmond can help your loved one stay safe!
Learn about: How Falls Impact Seniors | Risk Factors | Fall Prevention Services | Why Visiting Angels | Get Started
Understanding Fall Risks Among the Elderly and How At-Home Senior Care Services Can Help with Fall Risk Reduction in Richmond, VA and Surrounding Areas
If this is your first time learning about fall risks among seniors, we at Visiting Angels Richmond want to give you a better understand of how falls can impact seniors, what risk factors can increase the likelihood of a fall and how our at-home senior care services can help older adults in Richmond and surrounding areas remain safe as they age in place.
How Falls Impact Seniors
Although anyone can be at risk of falling and injuring themselves, adults over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible. Not only can additional factors faced primarily by seniors make them more likely to experience fall, but due to age-related deterioration in their physical health, they are also more likely to face significant repercussions after a fall.
Did you know:
- Every year, one in three seniors experience a fall?
- 55 percent of falls occur inside the home while 23 percent happen outside, but near the home?
- One in five seniors who experience a fall will sustain a serious injury such as a broken hip, fracture, concussion or other injury?
- Over 800,000 seniors are hospitalized annually due to falls?
- Recovery from injuries such as hip fractures can take up to a year in a long-term care facility for seniors?
- 40 percent of seniors who fall are not able to go home again?
- Seniors who fall once are more likely to fall again?
- 20 percent of older adults die within a year of a fall?
It's obvious that falls and the injuries that can result from falls pose a real threat to seniors in the Richmond area. Therefore, it is critical to take the initiative to get appropriate assistance if you are worried about the safety of an older loved one. If you want a life free of worries, Visiting Angels Richmond can help with professional at-home senior care services. We focus on the well-being and safety of our clients, which is why we offer comprehensive and proactive fall prevention solutions.
Risk Factors to Address
There are a number of risk factors that can raise the likelihood of falls among seniors. Some internal variables that might increase the risk include things like weakness, stumbling, imbalance, lack of flexibility, impaired vision, arthritis, having to take multiple prescription medications and managing side effects and not drinking enough fluids. Dementia and other cognitive disorders may also increase the risk of falls among the elderly.
There are external, house-based risk factors for fall-related injuries among seniors, as well. As an example, elderly people are more likely to fall in environments that are disorganized, have uneven flooring, inadequate illumination, damp floors or do not have grab bars in the restroom.
One way to reduce the likelihood of fall-related injuries for seniors is to quickly identify and eliminate any potential risk factors. However, dangerous behaviors like standing on a chair to reach something on a high shelf or drinking too much alcohol may also increase the probability of falls; although these habits can be addressed by education and gentle reminders. One way that Visiting Angels Richmond helps clients avoid falling and hurting themselves while aging in place is by providing them with at-home senior care services.
What Our Fall Prevention Services Include
Preventing falls among the elderly is an ongoing concern in the Richmond area. To help keep seniors healthy and safe, Visiting Angels' in-home caregivers teach them and their families how to identify possible risk factors so they can avoid falls. In addition, we offer a wide variety of at-home senior care services to ensure our clients' safety as they live out their golden years in their beloved homes.
Some of the ways family members or our professional at-home senior caregivers can help seniors in the Richmond area avoid falls include:
- Help seniors safely get from room to room and use the stairs
- Remove clutter from commonly used walkways with light housekeeping services
- Improve lighting throughout the home
- Add lighting and handrails to stairways
- Ensure frequently used items can be easily accessed
- Help seniors get in and out of the bathtub to avoid slipping on wet surfaces
- Install grab bars and keep floors dry in bathrooms
- Prepare meals that help seniors get the nutrients they need and keep up their strength
- Remind seniors to take medications on time and watch out for potential side effects that can impact their balance and mobility
- Keep seniors company throughout the night when it's darker inside the home
- Place a phone in an easy-access area
- Use assistive devices like canes and walkers
- Consider a personal medical alert system
Learn more about the at-home senior care services we offer by calling 804-353-0000 or filling out our form today!
Why Choose At-Home Senior Care Services from Visiting Angels Richmond?
When it comes to preventing falls, why have families in the Richmond area relied on Visiting Angels for over a decade? It's because we think that professional at-home senior care should be custom-tailored and provided on a one-on-one basis, unlike other local home care companies in Henrico and Hanover Counties. This ensures that each seniors gets a uniquely personalized set of services that are flexible enough to accommodate their needs, preferences and daily habits. Whether your loved one needs occasional visits from one of our caregivers or would benefit more from long-term support, we can ensure that they will receive the level of support they need to avoid having to worry so much about falling.
Helping your senior loved one stay safe can be easy with fall prevention services from Visiting Angels Richmond.
Get Started with At-Home Senior Care Services from Visiting Angels Richmond
If you're concerned about your loved one's safety, reach out to Visiting Angels Richmond today and learn how we can help them remain safe in their own home. We offer free in-home consultations to make getting started with our at-home senior care services simple and stress-free. Our care coordinators will help you understand what services we offer, get a better idea of how we can help your loved one age in place and answer any questions you may have.
At Visiting Angels Richmond, our free in-home consultations include a fall prevention assessment. Contact us today to learn more!
Serving communities in the Metro Richmond Area including Richmond, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Henrico & Hanover Counties
Visiting Angels RICHMOND, VA
4914 Radford Ave #211Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-0000