At Home Care and Fall Prevention
Over 50 percent of seniors over 65 will suffer at least one fall resulting in hospitalization according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, elderly falls are the number one cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors over the age of 65. Beyond the physical impacts of falls, the psychological impact can be just as damaging. Many seniors limit their life activities and withdraw from activities they enjoy out of fear of falling.
While falls are common among seniors, they are not a natural part of aging. Even so, falls are often associated with growing older since many of the illnesses and diseases that are often attributed to falls are most common among seniors, such as osteoporosis, Parkinson's, arthritis, and so forth. Many of the additional risk factors for falling are also common among seniors: multiple medications, musculoskeletal disorders, dementia, and vision or hearing loss.
The good news is that there are ways to limit and avoid falls, and at home care personnel can help. First, understand that 50-70 percent of senior falls take place in the home. This means that half to two-thirds of falls can be addressed by taking care of fall risks in your …show more content…
Simply fixing hazards and adding safety devices can make a marked difference in your loved one's safety. The most common fall risks include cluttered walkways, loose rugs, cords or cables in the walkway, unstable furnishings that may be leaned on, walkways that are too narrow to be used with assistive devices such as a cane or walker, and uneven transitions in flooring. In addition to addressing the walkways and floors, common fixes include making sure lights can be turned on and off without stretching (motions sensors are often recommended), adding grab bars near the tub and toilet, and ensuring railings are
Over 50 percent of seniors over 65 will suffer at least one fall resulting in hospitalization according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, elderly falls are the number one cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors over the age of 65. Beyond the physical impacts of falls, the psychological impact can be just as damaging. Many seniors limit their life activities and withdraw from activities they enjoy out of fear of falling.
While falls are common among seniors, they are not a natural part of aging. Even so, falls are often associated with growing older since many of the illnesses and diseases that are often attributed to falls are most common among seniors, such as osteoporosis, Parkinson's, arthritis, and so forth. Many of the additional risk factors for falling are also common among seniors: multiple medications, musculoskeletal disorders, dementia, and vision or hearing loss.
The good news is that there are ways to limit and avoid falls, and at home care personnel can help. First, understand that 50-70 percent of senior falls take place in the home. This means that half to two-thirds of falls can be addressed by taking care of fall risks in your …show more content…
Simply fixing hazards and adding safety devices can make a marked difference in your loved one's safety. The most common fall risks include cluttered walkways, loose rugs, cords or cables in the walkway, unstable furnishings that may be leaned on, walkways that are too narrow to be used with assistive devices such as a cane or walker, and uneven transitions in flooring. In addition to addressing the walkways and floors, common fixes include making sure lights can be turned on and off without stretching (motions sensors are often recommended), adding grab bars near the tub and toilet, and ensuring railings are