Whether you need care or not, we believe everyone should feel comfortable and safe at home. One in three adults aged 65 and over suffers a fall each year at home. Falls can cause serious injury, particularly to the elderly.
Wet and icy surfaces, as well as the inability to move due to the cold, are factors that cause falls and slips during the cooler months. It may be worthwhile to keep in mind the potential risks to your loved one when visiting family over the coming months, or during Christmas celebrations. Knowing several environmental and health-related hazards can help you avoid slips, trips, and falls at home.
Here are some things to keep an eye out for…
- Household chores
Runners are loose, slippery surfaces are uneven, there is poor lighting, wires trailing behind chairs, clutter is everywhere, and even pets are dangerous when not properly maintained. An Occupational Therapist can easily help your loved one with the correct equipment if they have difficulty getting up and sitting down, for example with bed/chair raisers.
Pets in the house could be shut up in a different room so that they can’t get under your loved one’s feet while he or she is mobilizing. Wearing comfortable, well-fitting clothes is important. Lack of support and grip in shoes can put you at risk.
- Various health problems
Falling risk can be affected by mobility problems such as osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease, vision impairment, auditory impairment, continence problems, urinary tract infections, dizziness, cognitive impairment, and certain medications.
- Behavior
Getting up at night, drinking alcohol in excess, reaching for the telephone or door too quickly, and overstretching are all factors that contribute to falling.
My loved one needs support. How can I help?
A fall can have devastating consequences for someone who is older or has a specific health condition. Having doubts about falling again, physical discomfort, long-term disability, decreased mobility, and loss of confidence can all negatively affect someone’s quality of life – risk reduction can minimize those negative effects.
Make sure that obstacles do not obstruct your loved one’s path from one room to another. Furniture, rugs, and wires should also not obstruct routes from one room to another. You might check hallways between bedrooms and bathrooms, for instance, particularly those walked in the dark. Adapting and making minor changes can greatly increase safety.
Also, provide them with calcium and vitamin D-rich foods as part of their meal planning to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Regular activity such as walking, swimming, or taking a dance class together is also a great way for everyone to relax.
Homecare assistance provided by Care Homes Essex
You and your loved one can remain at home for as long as possible with the help of Care Homes Essex live-in care services, including mobility assistance, medication management, personal care, and companionship.
Throughout the life of the care package, Care Home Essex prioritizes customer safety: “Schools and clinics work together to ensure all customer needs are met, based on previous falls history. Whenever care managers observe falls or near misses, that information is reported to Compliance who can advise you on what to do to prevent it from happening again. Health care professionals and family members can be informed of any concerns through our electronic reporting systems.