Falls are one of the leading causes of deaths and injuries for seniors worldwide. Various causes trigger these falls, but the most common cause is old age. For many seniors and their families, there are many solutions to prevent the worst from happening. More so, anticipating these triggers can help tackle the vulnerabilities of elders from the root causes. Here are five prevention tips for seniors and caregivers.
1. Get Help
Most older adults will cringe at moving into a home, and it’s understandable. They have worked hard, leveraged their youthfulness to sustain their families, and perhaps, acquired a home that has served them well for as long as possible. Leaving all they’ve toiled for behind to spend their last days without their families is hard to swallow.
Unfortunately, leaving them unsupervised isn’t a safe decision either, especially when the senior is frail and can’t support themselves through simple activities like feeding and bathing. The more they try, the higher the chances of falling. Getting an assistant to help them through these tasks can be a great way to avoid falling.
Fortunately, there is a myriad of assisted living servicing companies today, many of which exist locally. For example, if you live in Alexandria or the larger Virginia area, various facilities exist where you can apply for assisted living in Alexandria VA.
2. Exercise Regularly To Prevent Falls
Seniors exercising might appear farfetched since some can barely walk for a minute without support. However, experts recommend regular exercises for elders to improve flexibility and endurance, reducing postural hypotension in the long run. Exercises for seniors don’t have to be the usual rigorous routines we know. Strength and balance exercises at least twice weekly can suffice.
3. Have Regular Eye Checks
Regular doctor appointments should be a mainstay for elders. Those with eye issues may need the most since blurry vision and other eye defects can trigger falls. Eye conditions like glaucoma or cataracts may take longer for symptoms to show. When they finally do, getting permanent treatment can be daunting.
It’s best to opt for early diagnosis and treatment as frequently as possible. Also, ensure seniors adhere strictly to prescription medication and religiously use aids to improve vision.
4. Dieting The Right Away
Your bones may become weaker and break easily as you grow old, exposing you to osteoporosis. This condition is common in most seniors, affecting over 200 million 50 plus elderlies. The food seniors can keep them strong or worsen the situation. For instance, high fast foods weaken the bones, making joints rigid.
On the other hand, low-fat foods and calcium-rich foods like sardines and cheese strengthen the bones. Foods rich in Vitamin D like cod liver oil or fatty fish can also be a good addition to your diet plan or menu.
5. Assess Home Safety
A staircase with only a bulb in the center or a slippery bathroom floor might not serve elders well. For bathrooms, you can consider adding shower chairs for seniors. The longer they stand, the weaker they become. You can trust a chair will help prevent them from falling.
All in all, seniors are prone to falls. However, poor lighting conditions, sedentary lifestyles, and other habits don’t make things any better for them. It pays to have caregivers who can understand the plights of seniors and develop strategies to prevent them from falling.