One of our clients is a sophisticated retired schoolteacher in her 80s with serious back problems that stem, primarily, from four serious auto accidents. When her caregiver picked her up for her bi-weekly hair appointment, the senior lady seemed to be limping more than usual. As she got into the car, she told the caregiver she had fallen and reinjured her back.
Ironically, a handyman she had hired to install grab bars in her bathroom was there to help her to her feet and provide some stability until she was more composed. However, considering she lives alone, the woman may not have fared as well had the handyman not been there.
September 18-22, 2023, is Fall Prevention Awareness Week, a nationwide observance that raises awareness about preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.
Falls among older adults continue to be a national public health concern. Falls put older adults at risk of significant injury or even death.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury, and one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls every year. Being common does not mean that falling is a normal part of aging. Many of these falls are preventable and everyone needs to be aware of safety precautions to prevent falls among older adults.
The NIA suggests the following fall prevention tips:
- Stay physically active.
- Try balance and strength training exercises.
- Have your eyes and hearing tested.
- Find out about the side effects of any medicines you take.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid or limit alcohol.
- Stand up slowly.
- Fall-proof your home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has specific recommendations for fall-proofing your home:
Indoor/Outdoor Stairs
- Always keep objects off the stairs.
- Repair loose or uneven steps.
- Have an electrician put in an overhead light and light switches at the top and bottom of the staircase. Light switches that glow are also a good option.
- Have a friend or family member change burned-out light bulbs.
- Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and replace it with non-slip rubber treads.
- Fix loose handrails or install new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and they are as long as the staircase.
Floors
- If you have to navigate around furniture, ask someone to help move the furniture so your paths are clear.
- Remove throw rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-skid backing so they don’t slip.
- Pick up objects that clutter the floor to prevent tripping hazards.
- Coil or tape cords and wires next to walls so you won’t trip over them. If necessary, have an electrician install additional outlets.
Kitchen
- Keep things you use most often on lower shelves.
- If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool!
Bedrooms
- Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach.
- Put in a nightlight so you can use where you’re walking. Some nightlights automatically illuminate after dark.
Bathrooms
- Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
- Have grab bars installed next to and inside the tub, and near the toilet.
For seniors who live alone, like our client the retired schoolteacher, fall-proofing the home may require some extra help from others.
If a compassionate Home Helpers® caregiver can provide support to you or a senior loved one who is at greater risk of falling due to physical or mental health conditions, we offer a variety of in-home care services to help, including specialized care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and 24-hour shift care and monitoring. I am happy to sit down with you or your senior loved one for a FREE Assessment and home safety check to examine specific needs and discuss the many ways Home Helpers® can make life easier and safer every day!
Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently-abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.
Sources:
National Institute on Aging
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
