Can You Help Your Elderly Loved One Avoid Falls

Posted: 9/27/2016 2:14 PM by Interim HealthCare

Falling is a tremendous problem for elderly loved ones. Aside from the big problem, which is usually the landing, falling can leave an elderly loved one feeling unsafe on his or her own. It might even lead to feeling less independent, which can cause other problems. But there are things that you can do to help your loved one avoid falling.

Get Started with an Exercise Plan
Exercise is helpful for your elderly loved one because it helps develop balance and build strength and stamina in muscles. Without balance and strength, your loved one is far more likely to fall and get hurt. Before you begin any exercise routine with your elderly loved one, always be sure to talk with the doctor and make sure he or she is healthy enough for exercise.

Check the House for Safety
Another huge cause of falls for the elderly is their home, of all things. If there is clutter, loose flooring, or other hazards, it can easily cause a fall. Make it a point to go through the person's home regularly, looking for potential safety hazards. Correct problems as you find them so that you don't run the risk of forgetting about them.

Make Sure Your Loved One Gets to the Eye Doctor
If the person's eyesight is giving them problems, it can cause more frequent falls. Your loved one's eyes can change subtly, making it seem that nothing is different, and yet he or she may still experience trouble. Double check when your loved one last had an eye exam and be sure to get him or her into the office if it's been a while.

Talk with the Doctor
While you're discussing exercise plans with your loved one's doctor, talk about other potential issues that could make the older individual more susceptible to falls. Medication side effects or health conditions could all contribute to difficulty with balance or a propensity for falling. Once you have all the information, you can work with your loved one's doctor to develop a plan to help you make sure that falling is avoided as much as possible.

Once you have a plan in place, you can share it with your other family members and your loved one's home care providers.

If you have an aging loved one in need of elderly care contact Interim HealthCare today.