Fall Prevention

Elderly Care in Hampton NH: Fall Prevention

Many seniors have issues with mobility. This means that they find it difficult to move around the house like they should, and this can lead to falls. Falls can be very serious for the elderly, especially if they live alone without the help of a home care aide or a family member providing elderly care. Falling can cause bruising and break bones, and it can be very difficult for the senior to get back up once they are down.

If the aging loved one in your life has any of the conditions below, they might be more prone to falls than others:

Dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Low vision or other vision problems

There are many types of physical and psychological conditions that can impair one’s mobility, and it is important to make your home safe in order to help prevent falls. Here are some of the best ways to make your home safer for your aging loved one and the rest of the family.

Carpets – If you have carpeting or rugs in your home or your senior’s home, make sure that the edges are taped down, and that there are no lumps or rolls in the carpet. It is very easy for someone to catch their foot or the toe of their shoe on one of these lumps or edges, and this can lead to a painful fall. If the carpet is smooth and straight, there is much less chance of falling.
Shoes – If you have hardwood or other slick floors, on the other hand, it is a good idea to get shoes for your elderly loved one that have non-slip soles. This will keep them from sliding on the slippery floor, which will decrease their chances of hurting themselves.
Rails – Installing rails in the bathroom to help the senior get in and out of the tub safely is a great idea. It is also a good idea to install railings in the bedroom, to help them get out of bed, and in the hall, so that they have something to support themselves with if they need to.
Lights – It is important that the lights in the senior’s home are as bright as possible (or as bright as is comfortable). This helps them to be able to see where they are going, and to avoid anything that might be in their path when they are walking.
Regular cleaning – One of the best ways to prevent falls is just to make sure that there is nothing in the house to trip over. Don’t let your son leave his skateboard in the middle of the hallway, and don’t let your daughter leave her basketball at the top of the stairs. These things are common sense. It is also a good idea to pick up anything that is dropped in the house, and to keep any piles of junk out of the waking path so that there is nothing to trip anyone up.

Falling is a very serious problem for the elderly, but if you take these simple steps, your home can be much safer for the senior you love.