The Visiting Angels Fall Prevention Program is designed to assist seniors in Corona, Riverside, and Jurupa Valley, California, to help them maintain their independence and avoid debilitating injuries due to slips, trips, and falls in and around their homes. 

Elderly people lose their independence at an alarming rate due to falls, which can cause fractures, concussions, and other serious injuries that necessitate long periods of rehabilitation. In this article, we will talk about the impact that a serious fall can have on seniors and how Visiting Angels Riverside County can help prevent it from occurring. 

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Understanding the Serious Impact Falls Can Have on Seniors

The number of falls among the elderly is staggering, with over 800,000 individuals hospitalized annually and one-fifth suffering serious injuries, many requiring long-term care, and some never returning home.

Even more scary is the fact that those who have fallen once are at a much higher risk of falling again.

Besides causing physical injury, a fall can cause the victim to feel anxiety and depression due to the fear of falling again. As a result, many elderly people avoid leaving their home to try to reduce their risk of falling again, a practice which can impact their mental health and cause social isolation.

Visiting Angels Fall Prevention Program

The goal of the Visiting Angels Fall Prevention Program is to improve the quality of life and safety of our clients by providing education on fall reduction strategies to older adults, their families, caregivers, and service providers. This is especially important for those clients who do not use mobility aids such as walkers or canes.

Identifying and Addressing Risk Factors to Help Prevent Falls

The goal of our fall prevention program is to identify and reduce the risk factors that lead to falls. These risks can be related to medical illnesses, physical conditions, or the environment at home.

Common internal risk factors for seniors include:

• Decreased strength and muscle weakness
• Poor eyesight
• Shuffling feet and loss of balance
• Limited mobility
• Confusion and disorientation
• Medications
• Dehydration

There are a great many external variables that can add to the internal risk factors for falling, such as:

• Lack of grab bars in bathtubs, non-slip mats in showers and other safety equipment
• Loose handrails and inadequate lighting on staircases
• Tripping hazards such as throw rugs and uneven floors
• Poorly fitting footwear
• Alcohol use
• Standing on a chair to reach an object and other risky behavior

Resources for Fall Prevention

Visiting Angels offers a free downloadable "Safe & Steady Fall Prevention Resource Guide" which provides practical tips and helpful insights that can go a long way toward making your loved ones home safer to reduce the risk of falls and keep your loved one out of an assisted living facility.

Fall Prevention as Part of Our Adult Care Services

The Visiting Angels fall prevention program, which is part of our array of adult home care services, is evidence of our dedication to the security and well-being of seniors. It is intended to improve seniors' living environments and give them peace of mind, enabling them to stay safe and comfortable as they “age in place” in their own homes. If you would like further information about our fall prevention techniques and home care services, call our Riverside County office at (951) 727-4357 or Contact Us online to request more information.