A fall at any age can be extremely serious but as a person ages, the chance that they will break a bone increases. For older people, a broken bone is much harder to heal, and they will generally have a longer recovery time than a younger person.
So, how can we prevent such fatal falls for our elderly?
Not every single fall can be prevented, as falls which occur due to medical conditions can’t be predicted. However, there are steps which can be taken to ensure that our seniors from falling and seriously injuring themselves.
Make Their Environment Fall-Proof
If your loved one is in their own home, you can reduce the risk of a fall by making their environment as fall-proof as possible.
This means removing any trip hazards such as rugs and clutter from the floor and ensuring that any low furniture is moved to a more visible location. It’s also a great idea to install grab bars in places such as the bathroom and the bedroom to give them a little more stability when standing up.
Encourage Them to get an Eye and Bone Test
Failing eyesight is one of the main causes of falls in elderly people, so it’s important that you make sure that they have access to vision aids which will allow them to navigate their way around a lot safer.
Make sure that your elderly loved one attends regular eye tests to detect any deterioration in their vision which may lead to them not being able to see objects while they are walking.
There are also tests that can detect osteoporosis, which is a serious condition which affects the strength of the bones. If osteoporosis is detected and treated, if your loved one does have a fall, their risk of breaking a bone is reduced.
Encourage Them to Exercise
Exercise is a great way to help seniors keep mobile and strong. Not only does it keep them moving and building up their muscle, exercise can also help strengthen their bones; crucial in combating the brittleness which comes along with osteoporosis.
Install Home Aids
If your loved one lives in a home which has more than one floor, you can help them transition between floors in a safer manner by installing a stairlift.
It’s a common misconception that stairlifts have to cost a lot. There are many different options available, such as reconditioned stairlifts which don’t cost the earth, yet still do the same important job in the home.
Eradicating the need for the elderly person to walk up and down the stairs greatly reduces the risk of them taking a tumble down them. Even if you have a curved stairwell, there are curved stairlifts available to help tackle those corners which can pose a trip risk themselves if the individual can’t manoeuvre very well.
Preventing as many fall hazards as possible is essential , especially where elderly or disabled people are involved. Here at ALS Stairlifts, we’re dedicated to helping people with mobility issues reclaim their home and feel safer when travelling between floors. If you would like to find out more about our wide range of stairlift products and services, don’t delay in getting in contact with us by calling 0800 046 3438 and our team will be happy to help.