Falls are a serious issue for aging family members. You might not think that your senior is at great risk for falling, but the statistics on falls don’t lie. Millions of older adults are severely injured every year, including breaking bones or experiencing brain injuries. You can take steps now to reduce your senior’s fall risk.
Assess Your Senior’s Overall Fall Risk
It’s really important to understand your senior’s current overall risk of falling. Her doctor can help you with this. You’ll need to look at chronic health issues as well as other things, like medications your senior takes that might cause her to lose her balance. Keeping these factors in mind can help you and your senior to work out a solid plan for preventing falls in the future.
Pay Attention to Your Senior’s Balance and Gait Issues
If your elderly family member is already experiencing any mobility issues, those can easily cause her to be more likely to fall. Take an honest look at your senior’s difficulties with balance and with walking. It’s possible that working with a physical therapist can help.
Look into Appropriate Exercise Programs
With the help of your senior’s doctor, you should also look into helping your senior to start an appropriate exercise program. Exercise helps her to improve her balance as well as her strength. She may be able to regain muscle tone that she’s lost over time. Exercise can also help your elderly family member to feel more confident about moving more.
Consider Assistive Devices
It may also be time for your elderly family member to consider using assistive devices. These can help her to maintain her balance and can offer that little bit of extra support that she needs to avoid a fall. Many aging adults are reluctant to use assistive tools, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Put Together a Safety Plan
You also need to help your elderly family member to go through her home and reduce any possible safety issues. Tripping hazards, clutter, and other potential issues can be dealt with for your elderly family member before they become a true problem. Hiring senior care providers to assist your aging adult can also help her to reduce her fall risk considerably.
As your elderly family member becomes stronger, gains confidence, and has the help that she needs, her initial fall risk might drop to levels that help you both to feel more comfortable about your senior’s safety.
If you or an aging loved one needs Senior Care in Elk Grove, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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