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Help Elderly Relatives Avoid Falls at Home

Posted: 2/8/2018 10:10 AM by Interim HealthCare
For seniors, the risk of falling and getting injured increases every year. In fact, one in five falls causes a significant injury to an elderly person, such as a head injury or broken bone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even if seniors have a family caregiver and senior care assistance, they are still susceptible to slip and fall accidents. It doesn’t take much for elderly adults to take a tumble, and for those that have already experienced a fall, the odds are increased that they will experience another within a year.
 
The good news is that family caregivers, friends and senior care assistants can do a lot to help reduce the risk of an elderly person experiencing a slip and fall accident at their home. Learning more about what causes elderly adults to fall allows friends and family to create an environment that eliminates the hidden hazards.
 
There are many different risk factors that contribute to the likelihood of an elderly person experiencing a slip and fall accident. The more risk factors there are, the more likely the senior will fall. Physical problems are among the most common risk factors:
  • Dizziness from dehydration or poor nutrition
  • Loose footwear
  • Lightheadedness as a side effect of medicine
  • Poor vision
  • Vertigo
  • Improper use of a cane or a walker

Weakness in the limbsProblems in the environment that could contribute to a slip and fall include:
  • Uneven flooring
  • Liquid spills on a hard surface
  • Clutter on the floor
  • Loose edges on throw rugs
  • Protruding furniture

Loose footwearFamily caregivers and senior care aides can do a lot to take care of the elderly person and reduce all the physical and environmental factors that may cause a slip and fall accident. Keeping up on the health and wellness of the elderly person is a big part of avoiding things that can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Just as important is keeping the senior’s environment as risk-free as possible. It can be difficult for family caregivers to keep up with all the responsibility. Many families turn to senior care assistance to share some of the burdens of elderly care.
 
Not only do slip and fall accidents have the potential to cause serious injury to an elderly person, it can cause hardship on family caregivers as their responsibilities increase due to the extended care their relative will need.

Learn more about elderly care.