Did you know that older U.S. adults fall around 36 million times each year? About three million older adults end up in emergency rooms because they’ve fallen. No one wants to get the call that their parent has fallen, but it happens. Your dad fell going down the deck steps and broke his arm. It’s time to address his safety and the benefits of elder care following a fall.
What was your dad doing when he fell? If he was trying to carry the hamper down to a basement laundry room, he needs to stop doing that on his own. Elder care can help him with the laundry by carrying the hamper and support him while he walks down the stairs.
If he fell getting out of the shower, his caregiver can hold his arm while he steps over the side of the tub. His caregiver can help him get settled on a shower seat or assist him with a shower if he struggles to wash himself.
Your dad fell because he hadn’t eaten all day. He has a hard time cooking meals and he let his blood sugar levels decline to a point he felt dizzy. Elder care will cook meals and prepare snacks to ensure your dad eats throughout the day.
Or, he went for a walk outside and overheated. He went too far and didn’t bring water. Caregivers can join him on walks and make sure he doesn’t go too far or overexert himself and end up overheated or dehydrated.
Medications can cause side effects like drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision. All of these can increase the risk of a fall. If your dad takes medication with side effects like these, a caregiver should be with him after he takes his pills. After a few hours, the side effects may wear off enough that he can move around on his own again.
After his fall, his doctor tells him he needs to take it easy for several weeks. He can’t use his arm to do things like vacuum, mop, or wash dishes. He needs to keep his cast dry. Hire elder care aides to do the housework for him until he has the approval to do things again.
If he’s not supposed to drive his car for now, caregivers can drive him to stores, businesses, and medical offices. Have elder care aides available to escort him to follow-up appointments and physical therapy sessions.
Elder care is important for your dad’s safety. Arrange home care services to assist your dad while he recovers. He may find it’s easier having caregivers helping out throughout the week and ask you to keep his caregivers around for good.
Support your dad’s desire for independence as he stays in the family home. With elder care services, he won’t have to downsize or move to a senior community. He’s supported, safe, and enjoying life on his terms.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html
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