Prevention is better than cure. This adage holds true when it comes to fall prevention for seniors. Prevention can help senior citizens live longer and healthier lives. The most effective fall prevention strategies include education, technology, and protective devices all designed to lower the likelihood of accidental falls. Here are some fall-prevention tips for seniors.
Seniors who live alone should always walk to the door on a regular basis. This improves the senior’s balance because they no longer have to depend on others to take them to the front door or carry them into the house. Walking to the front door is also beneficial because it helps prevent the senior from tripping on the steps and falls down the steps, which is another high-risk factor. Walking to the porch or other entrance is an excellent way for seniors to protect their balance and reduce the risk that they will slip and fall.
Additional lighting around the home is also beneficial. When there is additional lighting, the senior has more visibility and is aware of his surroundings. In addition, lighting can increase the senior’s chance to see what he is stepping into. Installing additional lighting around the home can also increase the senior’s chances of seeing people walking or driving by his home.
A senior fall prevention plan can include a senior fall risk assessment. The assessment assesses a person’s current physical condition, lifestyle, medications, and any environmental conditions that may increase the senior’s risk of injury. After the assessment is completed, the plan can include recommendations for lifestyle changes, such as adding handrails or grab bars to increase the senior’s falling risk.
Another important tip is to make sure a senior maintains a good balance on his wheelchair. For those seniors with a mobility issue, it is essential to keep the senior in a standing position. By doing this, the senior has better balance and therefore, less risk of falling.
To improve balance, a senior should always practice aerobic exercise. This can help increase flexibility and endurance. Exercise has also been shown to decrease the tendency to slump, which increases the risk for a fall. This home safety tip is especially important for those seniors with mobility issues who are at risk of losing balance.
Older adults need to have a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Seniors also need to be careful about the types of foods they choose to eat. Instead of eating fatty or greasy food, they should choose foods that are low in fat and sugar. These tips can help to prevent them from developing high blood pressure and obesity, which both increase the risk for falls.
If a fall occurs, an elderly person may need to visit the hospital to receive treatment. However, there are many ways for them to prevent a fall and keep their body healthy. These home safety tips include using the stairs, maintaining balance, wearing the proper safety equipment, and making sure to take regular breaks from sitting. Preventing a fall not only ensures a longer life and a healthier senior, but it can also reduce hospital costs and financial suffering.
Seniors are more likely than younger people to develop some type of bodily impairment due to falling. They are also more likely to experience a serious injury such as a broken bone, a cut, a bruise or other type of injury. Broken bones can lead to other health problems and can even result in death if not treated properly. Seniors can take preventative steps to decrease the risk of falling. These fall prevention for seniors tips include using a cane, remaining balanced on one foot throughout the day, avoiding sitting on the ground if possible and making sure to keep shoes on during the day.
One senior in Canada says that her husband invented the walk-in fall detector. He made the device out of a garden hose and placed it on top of a shelf where senior citizens frequently fall. The device is supposed to detect contact before the fall leads to a possible broken bone. He has since sold it to a retailer and is now being paid for his time.
Leistner says that a fall prevention for seniors plan should also include additional lighting for the stairs so that senior can see to go up and down the stairs. He recommends three hours of light per day but says that fluorescent lights and low-level lighting are also helpful. He advises seniors to get into the habit of using a cane whenever they need to move around or take a step because this helps maintain balance as well as eliminating the chance of them slipping. He says the risk of falling is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths for seniors and that every cent they save with additional safety measures can mean a lot to their quality of life.
