Fear of falling is a natural fear especially for the aged. There are many reasons that the risk for falling can increase with age. If you add the fear of falling to the other causes, the risk goes up even more. What can you do to reduce the risk of falls and help your senior feel more confident? Back in February, we shared some tips on our site from a licensed physical therapist on fall prevention. They are worth revisiting. Many are commonsense but often overlooked.
Innovative Nurses & Sitters can help in a variety of ways. These could include:
- doing a visual inspection of the home environment to check for hazards
- noting what assistive aids are in the home or could be added to help reduce falls
- working with clients as they perform routine range of motion exercises, and most importantly
- being there to walk alongside, provide support where needed, and to observe firsthand issues of strength, balance and gait to prevent falls before they happen.
Thanks to the Internet, there are many excellent articles on this topic. We would like to share just a sample here. Here’s an excerpt from Mayo Clinic’s “Healthy Aging” -
Fall Prevention: 6 tips to prevent falls
- Make an appointment with your doctor: What medications are you taking that could increase your risk of falling? Could your health conditions cause a fall?
- Keep moving or you will lose your mobility
- Wear sensible shoes that stabilize you
- Remove home hazards such as throw rugs and low tables or step stools
- Light up your living space, especially heavily trafficked areas
- Don’t be shy or vain about using assistive devices
Innovative Nurses and Sitters provide trustworthy caregivers who will be there for your senior - to be your eyes and ears when you can’t be there yourself. We can provide in-home care, transportation and respite care, among other services. Call us today at 713 523-2329 for more information about our in home care services in the Houston area!
