Most Important Tips for Protecting Your Senior from Falling
Every passing second, at least one adult aged 65 or older experiences a fall, making it the leading cause of injuries among seniors in the United States. But amid these common accidents lies the potential for prevention. By arming ourselves with knowledge, we can cultivate an environment that prevents falls through simple adjustments, home modifications, and personal vigilance. We encourage you to consider the safety measures outlined below in order to foster the independence of your aging loved ones in their golden years.
Keep the Floors Tidy
Regular tidying can go a long way toward creating a safe environment. We recommend thoroughly checking the house to identify anything that could cause your loved one to trip or stumble. Some common hazards that our caretakers encounter are:
- Bags.
- Cords and cables.
- Piles of books, magazines, or laundry.
- Pet beds and accessories.
- Furniture jutting into common pathways.
- Spills on slick surfaces.
Sit down with your loved one to discuss a cleaning routine, finding new placements for particular items, and rearranging furniture to create a more open space. After agreeing on a plan that your loved one is happy with, share it with the rest of the family so they can help carry it out. That way, everyone can work together to remove or reduce the fall hazards in your loved one's home.
Check the Stairs
Stairs are one of the most common household locations where people fall, so it's essential to make sure your loved one can negotiate the staircase in their home. With family assistance, observe your loved one walking up and down the stairs, watching out for any areas that cause stumbles. The problem might be that your loved one's legs can't consistently stretch high or low enough to move easily on the steps.
If that's the case, speak with your loved one about getting a stair-climbing assist cane or installing a stair lift. Should they prefer not to use assistive devices, we recommend trying exercises and stretches that can improve your loved one's ability to climb stairs. Participating together not only promotes compliance but also deepens emotional connections, positively impacting their overall well-being.
Change the Lighting
Dimly lit spaces often contribute to falls. If this seems prevalent in your loved one's home, investing in improved lighting is a good idea. To begin, ask your loved one whether there are any areas in the home that seem particularly dim. Then, go through the home yourself to make your own assessment. From there, research lighting options that provide stronger illumination without overwhelming brightness.
Automated nightlights can also be installed in key locations such as bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms, ensuring easy access during nighttime hours. Automated lights simplify usage, enhancing safety and convenience.
Know the 4 Ps of Fall Prevention
The four Ps is an approach to not only preventing falls but also being aware of your loved one's needs. Widely adopted by caregivers and healthcare providers, this framework easily integrates into home care routines without requiring special considerations.
With home care, the four Ps apply to a care recipient who has difficulty getting around the house. The idea is to create an arrangement that minimizes their need to rise from a seated or lying position. With this in mind, you and others in your family caregiving network should consider each of the following factors when you interact with your loved one:
Pain
To address the first P, initiate conversations about discomfort or pain your loved one may be experiencing. Follow up with appropriate actions, like offering medication or assistance to alleviate any discomfort.
Position
Seniors who have trouble moving or repositioning themselves may run the risk of falling off the bed, falling while moving to a new location, or developing bedsores by staying in place too long. With that in mind, ask questions like those below to determine whether your loved one would like a change in position:
- "Would you like me to help move you into a better position?"
- "Are you comfortable where you are?"
- "Do you want to go to the [room]?"
Placement
The third P has to do with your loved one's location relative to items they may want within reach. At home, that might be a book, coffee mug, mobile device, or remote control. To ensure your loved one has the ideal placement, look around the room, identify any objects that they may want nearby, and ask whether you can bring them closer to their location.
Personal Needs
Addressing a care recipient's personal needs ensures that all matters of their well-being are met. To determine what personal needs you can attend to, you might ask your loved one questions such as:
- "Are you hot/cold?"
- "Are you hungry or thirsty?" or "Can I get you anything to eat or drink?"
- "Would you like to use the restroom?"
- "Is there anything you'd like to watch/read/do?"
- "Is there enough light in here for you?"
- "What's on your mind?" or "How has your day been so far?"
Visiting Angels Knows How To Prevent Falls
We have been helping seniors with mobility assistance and fall prevention in Spokane County since 2007 and have developed strategies to assist with home changes, make lifestyle adjustments, and ensure a tidy living space with your loved one's safety in mind. Message us online or call 509-922-1141 to get started with fall prevention today. One of our care coordinators will be happy to schedule your free in-home consultation at a time that works for you. We look forward to helping your loved one to live as independently, comfortably, and securely as possible.