Blog > Preventing Senior Falls

Preventing Senior Falls

While taking care of your senior loved one, you will want to find the best ways to help them fall less. Finding ways to prevent falls will make you feel much more confident when they age in place, rather than go to a home. If you are worried about your senior living with you or on their own, it’s time to hire professional senior home care. Home care providers can support your senior’s mobility and provide a steady hand to rely on.

Here are some tips you and your senior can use to reduce their fall risk:

Wear the Right Shoes
Some shoes will help keep a senior from tripping or falling. Silk or soft-bottomed shoes will make it much easier for seniors to slip and fall. Look for rubber bottom shoes or non-skid shoes. The soles shouldn’t be overly thick or too thin. Wearing socks, slippers, or shoes with smooth bottoms is not a good idea while navigating stairs or floors. Above all else, their shoes should be comfortable to wear all day.

Ensure They Don’t Move Too Fast
Moving too quickly will likely lead to a fall. Never pressure your seniors to move quicker, and also ensure they take their time doing important tasks. Too rapid a transition from sitting to standing, especially while walking up or down stairs, is a common cause of falls. Take a deep breath before proceeding, and then continue slowly.

Always Stay Active Even In Golden Years
Even fifteen minutes a day doing a home workout can help a senior stay agile enough and prevent falls. Moreover, being mobile and practicing balance can help a senior live at home and age in place. This is unquestionably the best way to keep a senior from falling.

Keep an Eye on Medications
Many seniors take multiple medications, and some can make a senior dizzy or sleepy. Consequently, this can lead to falls. If you or senior home care notice a senior getting wobbly after medication, they may want to have a senior mention it to their doctors to see if they need a new medication. Falling can sometimes be a side effect of certain medications.

Avoid Alcoholic Beverages
Too much alcohol can impair senses and make a senior more likely to fall. It may also upset their mood or make sleeping more challenging. Overall, alcohol causes more damage than anything. To avoid falling, a senior should also avoid drinking.

Focus on Clearing Paths
Make sure no bedding or drapes are dragging on the ground, and all walkways are clear. If a pathway is cluttered, they may trip or fall more easily. Sometimes a place becomes cluttered because they are not mobile enough to put things away. This is something that senior home care can help with.

Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is a crucial part of aging. The more a senior can sleep, the healthier they will be. When a senior lacks sleep, they may feel grumpy and fall easier than if they were well-rested. Focus on getting into a good sleeping routine.