Avoiding falls among the elderly

The thoughts of an elderly loved one suffering from injuries from a fall are both scary and sad. Fall injuries are one of the most common and often the most devastating injuries among the elderly. Many falls result in fractures of the hip, limbs, spine, or in head injuries. Also many falls result in the elder needing to be admitted to a long-term care facility.

What can be done to reduce the risk of falls?

Eliminate Environmental Hazards

The house and surrounding areas should be checked for trip hazards regularly. The following is a list of some of the issues that should be addressed:

  • Declutter all walkways
  • Remove throw rugs
  • Make sure carpet is secure
  • Remove cords from walk areas (telephone, appliance, and extension)
  • Put non-skid rugs in bathrooms
  • Put non-skid mats in bathtubs
  • Put grab bars in bathroom around tub toilet, and bedding
  • Keep night lights or motion sensing lights around house
  • Use a raised toilet seat if necessary
  • Use a padded shower chair

It is also possible to have an occupational therapist conduct a walkthrough of a home to identify risk factors for falls and advise solutions to problems that are identified.

Have eye sight checked annually

It is vital that the elderly have their eyes checked and eye glasses updated. Proper lighting and good vision help ensure a person can see and avoid trip hazards.

Discuss medications with a doctor or pharmacist

Many medications cause drowsiness or dizziness. It is also possible that medications, both prescription and over the counter, may negatively interact with each other. If necessary medication cause dizziness and drowsiness, it may be necessary to utilize a walking aid to help maintain balance.

Regular exercise can reduce fall risk

Regular physical activity is both fun and healthy. Walking, jogging, or aerobics are excellent for the cardiovascular system, strength training (weight bearing exercise) helps to strengthen muscles, maintain bone integrity, and improve balance.

This entry was posted in Senior Living Rockies and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.