A Safe and Sound Home: Senior Home Safety Tips for Fall Prevention

Image Credit: Canva

People’s bodies alter as they age, increasing their chances of falling. Falls are the primary cause of injury among the elderly, and they frequently result in significant outcomes such as fractures, brain injuries, and hospitalization. According to the National Council on Ageing, one out of every four Americans aged 65 and up dies each year. Falls, on the other hand, are not an unavoidable feature of aging, and many can be avoided with sufficient awareness and safeguards. In this post, we will look at the most common causes of falls among seniors and offer advice on how to avoid them.

Physical Changes

Our bodies change physically as we age, which might compromise our balance and stability. For example, our vision and hearing may deteriorate, making it more difficult to detect potential threats. Muscle weakness, joint pain, and decreased flexibility may also occur, affecting our ability to move and maintain our balance. Furthermore, some drugs can produce dizziness or interfere with our coordination, making us more prone to falling.

Prevention Tip: Regular exercise and physical activity can assist seniors in maintaining their strength, balance, and flexibility. Seniors should also have their vision and hearing examined on a regular basis, and their medications should be reviewed with their healthcare provider to ensure they are not taking any medications that enhance their risk of falling.

Environmental Dangers

The environment might also play a crucial influence in senior falls. Uneven or slippery surfaces, inadequate illumination, loose rugs or carpets, and congested passageways are all common risks. Even little modifications in the environment, such as changing furniture or leaving objects on the floor, might raise the likelihood of a fall.

Prevention Tip: Seniors should ensure their houses are well-lit, clutter-free, and have slip-resistant flooring. They should also use assistive equipment like handrails and grab bars and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing or shoes that could cause tripping.

Chronic Health Issues

Diabetes, arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease are all chronic health disorders that might raise the risk of falls in seniors. These conditions can have an impact on mobility, balance, and coordination, making it more difficult to move around securely. Seniors who have various chronic diseases are at an increased risk of falling.

Prevention Tip: Seniors should engage closely with their healthcare professional to manage their chronic diseases and adhere to their treatment recommendations. They should also exercise particular caution when participating in activities that demand balance or coordination.

Impaired Cognitive Function

Cognitive impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, can also raise the risk of falls in the elderly. These factors can impair a senior’s judgment and perception, making them more likely to engage in unsafe behaviors or fail to notice possible hazards in their surroundings.

Prevention Tip: Seniors with cognitive impairment should be supervised when participating in activities requiring balance or coordination. Carers should also take precautions to ensure that the environment is as safe as possible and that any potential hazards are removed.

The Fear of Falling

Finally, seniors’ dread of falling can raise their chance of falling. Seniors who are frightened of falling may become less active and avoid specific activities or circumstances, resulting in diminished strength and mobility and, eventually, an increased chance of falling.

Prevention Tip: Seniors should discuss their fear of falling with their healthcare physician and work on measures to overcome it. Exercises to increase balance and confidence may be included, as well as treatment for any underlying anxiety or sadness.

Finally, while falls among the elderly can have significant effects, many can be avoided with sufficient awareness and safeguards. Seniors can keep their independence and enjoy a high quality of life by understanding the primary causes of falls and taking efforts to prevent them.

SenSights Software

SenSights is a Remote Patient Monitoring and Ageing Solution that aids seniors and healthcare facilities that work with elders who have chronic disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure, falls, COPD, long COVID, and others.

The solution assists at-risk providers, skilled nursing facilities, long-term living communities, home health care providers, and other senior care entities in increasing their capacity by supplementing physical visits with virtual care, preventing wandering and fall episodes, and providing proactive monitoring, risk profiles, and smart alerts via our SenSights Care app.

Clear MD is one of our innovative technologies that helps doctors and patients by summarizing conversations and giving thorough notes and reports. This saves doctors time and effort, allowing them to free up resources and provide a greater level of treatment.