The elderly, more so than individuals of any other age group, are prone to falling. When this happens, serious injuries can occur to limit your mobility. There are a number of risk factors that make certain groups of the elderly more prone to falling than others. In this article, we share more with you about elderly falls and some prevention tips.
Common Causes of Elderly Falls
If you have a mobility limitation that makes it harder for you to get around, you may be more prone to falling, especially if you frequently have to transfer yourself from your wheelchair to other locations around the house. Poor eyesight and/or hearing can also make the elderly more prone to falling. In addition, trip hazards around the house that are not taken of can prove to be dangerous.
Fall Prevention Tips
While we cannot completely eliminate the risk of falling, there are certain things you can do to make your home a safer place for you. Some of them include:
- Ensure that you have adequate lighting in every room
- If you have any throw rugs on the floor, make sure they are taped down or remove them completely
- Ensure that power plugs are not left across pathways
- Wear non-skid shoes in the house instead of house slippers
- Avoid getting your floor waxed or if you must do so, use non-skid wax
- Install handrails along both sides of the stairs
- Avoid doing jobs that require climbing and/or the use of a ladder, rather, get someone else to handle these for you
Keeping on Top of Your Health
Besides ensuring that your home is as safe as possible, you will want to attend regular health check-ups to make sure that your risk of falling has not increased and if it has, know the proper steps to take against it. Below are some tips to consider:
- Get your eyes checked every year for cataracts, glaucoma and any other vision problems
- Get your hearing checked every two years – if your loved ones express concern that you can’t hear well, take them seriously and go for a check-up
- If your doctor asks that you use a walking aid, listen to them and learn how to do so in a safe manner
- Instead of getting out of bed immediately, sit up for a minute or two to allow your blood pressure to steady itself before standing up
Conservatory At Champion Forest Is the Perfect Home for You
If you are looking to age well in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment, consider making the move to Conservatory At Champion Forest. Here, you can find many hotel-like amenities to suit your needs, including private dining rooms, lushly landscaped gardens, and a senior-equipped fitness center. With a packed calendar of daily living activities for you to choose from, you can focus on living your best life surrounded by compassionate team members and friendly neighbors. All prospective residents and their loved ones are welcome to schedule a tour of our stylish campus today.
