Dr. Eboni Green
December 17, 2021
Falls are a leading cause of injuries in older adults. The following are measures you can take if you are looking to reduce the risk of falls as a caregiver.
After a fall, it’s important to check for injuries. Consider taking your elder loved one to an urgent care clinic if they have any pain or if they have hit their head during a fall. Any injury that isn’t treated could lead to further complications.
Make sure that you understand exactly why your loved one is suffering from falls. There are many health problems that can cause falls – if this health problem hasn’t already been diagnosed, consider seeing a doctor for a full check-up.
Once mobility issues start to occur, your elder loved one may require walking assistance. This could include anything from a walking stick to a rollator. Make sure that your loved one or client is using the right form of walking assistance. Once conditions progress, they may need to move beyond a stick to a walking frame or rollator. With degenerative illnesses, a wheelchair is often eventually required.
Older adults that are prone to falls should ideally wear lower heeled shoes with slip resistant soles. Such shoes can reduce the risk of falling. Consider whether your loved one needs to get some new shoes. High heels and shoes with laces are best avoided.
You should make sure that walkways around the home are kept clear. Trailing cables and clutter are common trip hazards for older people – those with mobility issues and reduced vision are particularly prone to tripping over such items.
Regularly go through the home to check that there are no obstacles. If there are pets or kids in the home, check that no toys have been left out on the floor.
Grab bars are worth installing around toilets and baths, as well as near any stairs. They can help elderly people to support themselves or pull themselves up, reducing the risk of a fall. More drastic home modifications may be required for those with serious mobility issues such as walk-in showers and stairlifts. There are grants available that may allow you to fund these home improvements.
Make sure that no rugs or mats around the home can easily slip beneath someone’s feet. Always choose anti-slip rugs and mats. Make sure to use anti-slip mats in the bath or shower, as well as placing one on the bathroom floor. A bathroom is a very common place for falls to occur – especially during/after a shower or bath.
A healthy lifestyle may help to reduce falls by helping your loved ones to maintain a good weight and by helping to maintain strength in muscles and joints. Make sure that they are doing daily exercise and stick to a healthy diet. If they drink a lot of alcohol, you may also want to encourage them to cut down, as this can be a big contributor to falls.
