5 Ways To Fall Proof A Senior's Home
Falls are quite common in the elderly and can lead to some serious injuries. Sensory problems, muscle weakness, low blood pressure and certain medications can increase the risk of falls. If you are worried that your elderly loved one will fall, you can help. Here are five effective ways to fall proof a senior's home:
Encourage Your Family Member to Exercise
Physical activity improves strength and flexibility, reducing the risk of falls. Talk to your senior family member about the benefits of exercise and encourage him or her to get active. Gentle exercises, such as swimming, walking and yoga, will be a good fit for your elderly loved one and can prevent him or her from getting hurt.
Install Assistive Devices
If your senior family member is at risk of falling, it may be a good idea to install some assistive living devices in the home. For example, you could put handrails on the stairways, so your loved one has an easier time going up and down the stairs. It is also a good idea to install grab bars in the bathtub.
Get Rid of Hazards in the Home
There are likely some hazards in your elderly loved one's home that can increase the risk of falls. Be sure to pick up newspapers, clothes and any other items from the floors. If there are loose rugs in the home, secure them with double-faced tape.
Buy Your Family Member Proper Shoes
If your elderly loved one wears slippery shoes or goes barefoot inside the house, he or she is at risk of falling. Purchase your family member a pair of sturdy shoes with nonskid soles to prevent an accident.
Hire a Home Care Worker
If you think your senior family member needs extra help preventing falls, think about hiring an at home healthcare worker. This healthcare professional can assist your loved one with daily chores and help him or her get around the house. Hiring a home care worker is especially beneficial if you do not have time to check in on your family member every day.
The idea of your elderly loved one falling is terrifying, but it does not have to happen. If you follow these helpful tips, you can reduce your family member's risk of falling and getting hurt. If you have any more questions about your family member's risk of falling, you should talk to his or her physician.
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