'Falls are part of aging' - this is one universally perceived misconception that is endangering the seniors' lives. The occurrence of falls among the elders may be higher compared to the other age groups but falls are not part of aging. And, on top of it, they occur most of the times due to the features of a typical home.
Falls are the leading cause of death among the elders who are aged 65 and beyond. The impact of the falls among the elderly will always be severe. If they are not causing the mortality, they will certainly cause injuries that deter the overall wellbeing.
The statistics on elderly falls reveal bizarre facts. One in every three elders succumb to falls every year and two-thirds of elders who suffered a fall are falling again within the next six months. With the increasing number of falls in seniors, preventing elderly falls should of a great priority. In the light of this motive, September 22nd is celebrated as the Fall Prevention Day, every year.
What Should Be Done to Prevent Falls?
Falls are accidents and almost all accidents can be prevented by using the right equipment and setting up the right environment. The safety of seniors starts from the home. The home elderly lives in need to be fall-proof. It does not need to be completely remodeled but small and basic changes can reduce the chances of a fall significantly.
The senior care professionals offer the following changes for a fall-free aging experience. Read the blog to know as in how to prevent the elderly falls.
This is the safest way you could keep your elders fall-free. Clean up the clutter off the floors, stairways and hallways. It is common to see clutter in a house but this causes slips and tip-overs. Always remove the stacks of newspapers, books, clothes, pillows, bedsheets and other household things from the walking surfaces.
Glossy and shining floors may be a symbol for a fancy feature but these floors cause more elderly falls next to bathrooms. Instead, install the floors that are slip-resistant and provide maximum grip for the elders. There are floors that could be
The physical strength of the elderly gets reduced with the age. It is important to provide them with the support they need by installing handrails and grab-rails in the most common places in the home. They could be installed in the bathrooms, living area and on the staircases as these areas post great threat for elderly falls.
The flooring should be flat without level raises. If the floor level rise could not be avoided, make sure the raise is indicated using the bright colors. It is recommended for the seniors to live in the ground floors as it does not involve much use of stairs. The stairs need to be used by seniors with extra care.
Get your physical health and vision checked on a regular basis. Weak limbs and poor vision may cause falls. Also, it is common for elders to experienced reduced vision. Get your elders' vision checked regularly and maintain sufficient lighting in the house in case your elders have been diagnosed with eye health issues.
Take care of your parents' personal needs. This includes their emotional wellbeing too. Ensure the home they live in is convenient and the facilities are fulfilling the daily needs of the elders without complaining much! If not, take help from the house design planners for seniors .
Falls prevention is injury prevention. Provide your parents with a safe senior living environment by slightly modifying your home for a convenient aging experience.
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