With old age comes many problems, including vision impairment, loss of balance, dementia, and other health issues. Such health issues are hardships in themselves but also increase the threat of falls among the elderly significantly. Having elderly parents with a risk of falling can become a constant worry for you. However, making a few changes in your home interiors and adding a few safety measures can reduce the chances of falls and injury and give you peace of mind.
Here are six steps you can follow to reduce your senior parent’s risk of falls and injuries.
Access their medical conditions
The first thing you need to do is to assess the medical conditions your elderly loved ones have. It will help you decide the safety measures you need to take to prevent them from falling. Take the following steps to access their medical conditions.
- Make a doctor appointment for a complete medical examination.
- Get their eyesight tested to ensure that the glasses they are wearing are the right ones.
- Check their medications and determine whether any medications make them more prone to fall.
- Does any of your elderly parents’ underlying medical condition affecting their balance and ability to walk correctly?
Ensure that they are taking a nutritious diet
Seniors often turn to processed and fast cooking foods to reduce the amount of work for themselves. Such eating habits reduce the amount of nutrition their boy receives, making them weaker and more prone to fall. So, ensure that they are getting a balanced diet rich in nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants.
Include physical activity in their routine
A certain level of physical activity and exercise can play a vital role in keeping the elderly healthy. It promotes cognitive abilities and balance and thus reduces the risk of falls and injuries in older adults.
Remove home hazards
Another way to reduce falls for seniors in your residence is to remove any unwanted clutter from the living space. Remove unnecessary coffee tables, boxes, rugs, carpets, electrical cords, and other things that hinder the walkways. Such items often lead to tripping and falling among seniors.
Light up the living space
Older adults often find it hard to see things clearly in the dark and dimly lit spaces. It increases their chances of tripping and falling. To prevent this from happening, ensure that all the living areas have ample lighting and light switches are readily accessible.
Make use of assistive devices
Ask your elderly loved ones to use assistive devices such as a walking stick or a walker if they find it hard to maintain their balance. You can also install side rails, grab bars, and other assistive devices in various living spaces in your home.
Pro Tip: Ensure that your elderly parents wear footwear that has good traction and balance. Avoid using high heels and other uncomfortable footwear.
About Somerset Court
If you are looking for a safe place for the elderly, Somerset Court is your one-stop solution. We focus on ensuring that our residents have a healthy and comfortable stay. Our inclusive prices and state-of-the-art facilities make us different from other assisted living facilities in Minot, North Dakota.
We have a movie theater, club lounge, game room, and community social areas. We give our residents the best care possible. If you want to know more about our senior citizen living facilities or would like to schedule a tour, you can call us at 701-838-4500. You can also fill our online contact form to get in touch.
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