Ways to Help Seniors Regain Confidence after Falling
For seniors, an unexpected fall can pose a significant threat to their health and lifestyle. Unfortunately, falls are a common occurrence, with one in four older adults taking a tumble each year. The good news is that given the right tools, seniors can prevent future accidents from taking place.
Tips for Getting Seniors Back on Their Feet
If your senior loved one has recently experienced a fall, they’re likely worried that it could happen again. They may lose their sense of security and isolate themselves to avoid a potential accident. To help your relative get back on their feet with confidence, try the following strategies.
Focus on Their Physical Recovery
Seniors should immediately seek medical treatment after falling, even if the accident was mild and there are no obvious injuries. Their physician will be able to address any underlying issues behind the fall, like medication side effects or health conditions. Once your loved one has gotten medical assistance, make sure they follow through with their doctor’s advice. Working with a physical therapist can help them regain balance, mobility, and strength. Additionally, the therapist can teach them safe movement techniques so they’re able to walk with less anxiety.
Talk About the Experience
When they’re ready, bring up the fall in a sensitive manner. Allow your senior loved one to express their fears surrounding the incident. Chances are, the root cause of their anxiety is that a fall could happen again and potentially threaten their independence. Talking about the fall will help them process their emotions and begin to work through the trauma.
Conduct a Home Safety Check
Ensuring that the senior’s home is a safe environment will go a long way towards easing fears and rebuilding their confidence. Take some time to evaluate your loved one’s home for tripping hazards. Are there loose rugs that could cause them to slip? Is the lighting bright enough for them to see well down hallways and in stairwells? Most safety modifications are fairly simple to complete but make a big impact. If you need professional guidance, the team at Visiting Angels can conduct a home safety assessment at your loved one’s home in the Yukon area.
Related Reading: The reasons behind a fall aren’t always obvious. Learn about 5 Things that Increase Fall Risks for Seniors at Home in one of our past blog articles.
Gradually Increase Activity
It’s normal for your loved one to feel hesitant about resuming their normal activities after a fall. However, they must continue moving their body to avoid weakening muscles. Once they get the okay from their doctor, encourage the senior to gradually increase physical activity with short walks and low-impact exercises.
Fall Prevention with Visiting Angels Can Help
Recovering from a fall requires time and patience. Helping your family member navigate a fall’s physical and emotional toll can feel daunting. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. At Visiting Angels Yukon, our highly-experienced caregivers are trained to assist seniors with fall prevention measures, including making safety suggestions and assisting with mobility and transferring.
To learn more about fall prevention services with Visiting Angels or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!