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How Seniors Can Keep From Falling at Home

Senior Care in Floral Park NY

Seniors who receive home care services are in their homes throughout most of the day which might be part of the reason they get hurt at home more than any other location. One study showed that of the seniors who fall 40% of them experience fractures in their hip and 20% of them die as die as a result of injuries sustained during a fall. For those receiving senior care at home, it is vitally important to make sure their homes are as fall-proof as possible.

Avoid Trips and Falls When Walking

The first way to help seniors keep from falling in their home is to make sure anything that can cause them to trip or stumble be removed or replaced. Rugs, for instance, can easily slide out from under the feet. When a rug isn’t lying flat on the floor, it creates little gaps or holes that might cause someone to trip. One way to prevent slipping on a rug is to not have them in the house at all. For those who still want rugs, there are products on the market designed specifically to keep the corners of the rugs from curling. Buying rugs with skid-proof backing helps keep them in place. Other ways to prevent falling in the home include making sure clutter is picked up off the floor at all times and keep walking paths clear throughout the home.

Avoid Falls In the Bathroom

One study shows that the bathroom is the most common place in the home where injuries are sustained due to a fall. This finding included seniors who hurry too quickly into the bathroom and fall or trip on their way there. In the bathroom, the slippery surface of the bathtub makes it easy for seniors who are getting in or out to fall. Make sure the tub has a rubber mat and also grab bars nearby. There should also be grab bars by the toilet to help seniors sit and stand. It’s important to make sure these grab bars are attached securely to the wall.

Other Tips to Prevent Falls and Stay Safe at Home

Elder care providers and other caregivers should also be aware of these tips in order to prevent falls at home:

  • Wear supportive shoes inside the home instead of going around in socks, backless slippers, or bare feet
  • Make sure stairs and steps have handrails on both sides
  • Ensure the home is brightly lit
  • Practice balancing exercises
  • Don’t skip meals as this can cause dizziness and weakness

 

Even for those seniors who are receiving in-home care, they should make it a point to have contact with someone outside of their home at least once a day. They might also want to consider getting a medical alert system set up in the home that can respond to calls 24 hours a day.

If you or an aging loved one are in need of senior care services in Floral Park, NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!

Source
http://www.sosonsite.com/article/2014/2/10/many-seniors-will-experience-a-fall-in-their-home-learn-how-to-protect-yourself/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3591732/

Stephen Sternbach

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