Why preventing falls is crucial for your aging parents

For your aging parent, a fall is more than an embarrassing moment in time. Falls can cause injuries, loss of independence, and in some cases, death. The good news is, falls can be prevented. There are plenty of simple measures that can be taken to ensure that your aging parent is safe and comfortable in their own home. Be sure to read to the end for our highly recommended method of preventing falls at home.

What to do after a fall

Before we dive into the ways in which you can help prevent falls from occurring, we’re first going to cover what you should do if a fall does happen. This is something that you may wish to talk through with your parents so that if the worst should happen, they are prepared.

The most important thing to note here is if this is an emergency, never hesitate to call 911.

If your parent feels that they are able to stand safely, then they could consider the following:

• Call for help if possible

• Find a sturdy chair or lower surface that can hold their weight

• Get to a kneeling position with hands on the chair/surface

• Get one knee up to plant one foot on the floor

• Push up with their hands from the surface and from their foot to stand or get their butt on the chair.

• Consider professional medical attention - at minimum inform their healthcare provider of their fall

Talking through some scenarios may be helpful to alleviate some of the worry for both you and your aging parent.

Ways to prevent falls

When it comes to falls prevention, it divides into two categories; looking after the person, and looking after the home. Both of these play an important role in falls prevention. Let’s take a look at how each of these can contribute to preventing falls

What can I do for myself?

There are many ways in which your aging parent can physically reduce the risk of a fall. Here are some of those ways:

• Movement

  Light exercise and movement can really boost both confidence and mobility. It is always best to check in with a health provider before starting any new routine but generally, 30 mins of moderate exercise is considered a good amount. Strength training is a great option as this helps build muscle strength making it easier to climb stairs and get in and out of the car. Encourage your parent to think about past interests and find something that works for them.
  
  

• Health Checks
  One of the best ways to prevent falls, is to be up to date with all health checks. Checks on the eyes and feet are especially important at this age. Their doctor may recommend they consult a foot specialist if there are any issues. Eyes should also be checked once a year to ensure that poor eyesight will not cause a fall.
  
  

• Hydration

  It may seem like a small thing, but making sure that your parent is properly hydrated is really important; dehydration is a leading factor in hospital admissions for older adults. It can exacerbate any current health complications and have a big impact on their overall health. It is recommended that we drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, so finding ways to increase water intake is key. Encourage your parent to have a water bottle on hand, or fill a pitcher in the fridge and drink until empty each day. Help them find ways to stay hydrated easily.
  
  

• Balance

  Our body’s sense of balance also requires strengthening like any other muscle in our body. This can really help to prevent falls in older adults. There are simple exercises that can be done to help improve balance over time. They could try standing on one foot for 5-30 seconds with or without holding on for support, or a more formal form of exercise such as yoga or pilates.
  
  

• Slowing Down

  Did you know that many falls occur because the person was in a rush to do something? Encourage your aging parent to take their time (never exert too much time pressure on them). Breathing techniques can really help to alleviate anxiety and encourage us to slow down. Have them take deep breaths before standing up, before drinking their morning coffee, or simply before opening a book - it can really help!

What can I do in my home?

As well as the physical aspects we just covered, there are also lots of simple changes that can be made around the home. 75% of falls occur in the home, so it is important to make sure the most common areas are as safe as they can be. Let’s take a look now at what to consider:

• Declutter

  Tripping over things is easy to do, so taking the time to declutter things from the floor can really make a difference. Always check the stairs too for papers, shoes, books or anything that could get in the way. Small rugs can also be a big trip hazard so consider removing these too.

• Lighting

  Poor lighting can result in falls but is easily fixed. Check that there are switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs to ensure the area is well-lit at all times. Check for any broken light bulbs, and consider adding extra lighting in darker areas of the house. Think about nighttime trips to the bathroom as well - dim lighting along the floors can be a great addition to the home.

• Bathroom Add-ons

  Bathrooms are by nature slippery, so it is a good idea to think about ways that your aging parent can be safe when using the bathroom. Do they need a mat in the bath or shower? Do they need a shower chair? Do they need some grab rails installed so they have something to hold onto?

• Communication setup

  Do your again parents have a way of reaching out for help if they have a fall? There are lots of options on the market for monitoring your aging parents at home in a non-intrusive way. This is something you could discuss with your parent.

The Walk-through Challenge

One of the best ways to check for ways to prevent falls in the home, is with a walk-through challenge.

This essentially is about walking through the home like a first-time buyer would!

Ask yourself, as a visitor, would you consider this home to be:

• Cluttered?

• Challenging to navigate?

• Accessible?

• Unsafe?

Go through each room objectively and ask yourself these questions.

Once you have done that, it may be helpful to go through our home safety checklist below!

We hope you found this article helpful - with a little time and attention many falls can easily be prevented.

If you would like some assistance in making sure that your aging parents home is a safe place, then why not book a call with us and set up a Virtual Home Safety Assessment today!