Though falling can happen to everyone but older adults are at more risk of falling and more likely to injure themselves. Falling is one of the main causes of injury in people aging 65 or above. Most elderly people fall in and around their home. Falls can rob the independence of the elderly. Fortunately, many falls can be prevented with healthy choices and safety measures in the home. If you have an aging parent or grandparents, helping them reduce the risk of falling is a good way to help them stay healthy for as long as possible. Here we share the useful tips to prevent senior falls:

How to Prevent Senior Falls?

Exercising

Regular exercise is one of the useful ways to reduce the chance of falling. Those who exercise are stronger and have an improved balanced and coordination.

Making the Home Safer

To prevent falls, make your home safer. For example, remove items from stairs and walkways. The staircases should also have handrails and lights on them.

Footwear

The elders should wear shoes with good support and having non-slip soles. Poor footwear like loose slippers or shoes should be avoided. Replace slippers that are too loose or have stretched out of shape to prevent senior falls.

Keep Things Within Reach

The items they are used often should be kept within easy reach. This eliminates the need of using step stools. The furniture should be arranged in a way to have clear pathway between rooms.

prevent senior falls

Keep the Home Tidy

The easiest way to prevent senior fall is to keep your home neat and clean. There should not be clutters all around. The clutter of shoes, clothes, books etc. all contribute to the risk of falls for elderly adults. You should examine each room for look for items like loose carpets, wood floorboards etc. Any liquids, grease or food spilled on the floor should be cleaned up immediately.

Regular Eye Checkups

The seniors should get their vision checked at regular intervals. The incorrect lens prescriptions and conditions such as cataract can limit vision and poor vision increases the chances of falling. You should also remember that using tint-changing lenses can be hazardous when going from bright to darkened room. So, either change glasses upon entry or stop till the time the lenses adjust.

prevent senior falls

Adequate Lighting

Right lighting is also important to ensure that the seniors are safe. You should install brighter light bulbs wherever needed especially in stairways and narrow hallways.

Non-slip Floors

The bathtubs, showers or floors in bathrooms can be very dangerous when wet. To prevent senior falls, one should have nonslip mats. You should install grab bars in the tub/shower and near the toilet. Also, it is important to safeguard your elderly loved ones from dangers of falls in these areas. A slip-resistant rug adjacent to the bathtub should be placed for safe entry and exit.

So, these were some of the effective ways to prevent senior falls. But if in case, they fall, do not panic and call for help. Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD) is also observed to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among the older adults.

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