Millions of people over the age of 65 fall every year, in fact one of out of four elderly adults fall each year, sustaining injuries from broken bones, to concussions, to bruising and twisting. Falling can also have an emotional toll on your elderly parent – it can cause her to start to fear to participate in certain activities. It may stop her from going on walks or going downstairs to the basement for something she needs. And while falls may seem like something your parent has to contend with as she ages, there are some significant action steps she can take to reduce the likelihood of her falling and/or sustaining a substantial injury from a fall. Let’s look at some of the main causes of falls and then discuss some steps to prevent them.
- Difficulty with balance.
Home Care Massapequa, NY: Causes of Falls
If your parent struggles with balance due to a health condition or a medication, the best bet for her to prevent a fall is to get assistance when she needs it. The home should be set up with assistive devices such as railings on all steps and balance bars in the bathroom. She might also want to consider getting a cane or walker to assist her take a stroll down the block. Your home care provider can also provide physical assistance when she is there, helping your parent run errands or do chores.
- Vitamin D deficiency.
If your parent doesn’t have enough Vitamin D in her system, it could cause balance issues. On her next doctor visit, have her doctor order bloodwork to measure her Vitamin D levels. If they are low, either try increasing her consumption of foods rich in Vitamin D or have her start taking a supplement or both. - No strength in her lower body.
Your parent needs strong legs and core to keep her balance. If these areas are struggling, she can do some strength building exercise to increase her strength. Tai Chi and yoga are both great exercise programs for strength-building, but have your parent check with her physician before she begins any program. A home care provider can help her travel to and from classes if needed, or during these times of staying home, the provider can also help with setting up a video and providing an extra set of eyes on your parent while she exercises.
- Trip hazards in the home.
Examine your parent’s home for tripping hazards like loose rugs or uneven flooring. Items like loose socks, shoes and animal play toys should be off the floor at all times and put away into safe storage to prevent your parent from tripping over them. A quick inspection of the home with each visit by you and her home care provider will help eliminate any tripping hazards that may be waiting for her. - Vision problems.
If your parent can’t see where she’s going or see where her feet are landing, it might create an obstacle for her, and she could fall when she tries to go across unknown areas. Have your parent’s vision checked regularly as well as make sure that where she is walking is well lit.
Fear of falling is very real for both the parent and the caregiver. Being proactive and making your parent’s home and her health as good as it can be will help alleviate that fear for both of you.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care in Massapequa, NY please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722
Resource: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html