Fall Prevention for Seniors Living at Home

For seniors, experiencing a fall can lead to many dangerous health complications. It can be easier for seniors to break their bones as they age and when seniors fall, this tends to be the leading injury caused. In the United States, 95% of hip fractures are due to a fall. It is vital to take preventative measures to reduce a senior’s risk of fall.

As a senior, it is important to fully understand what risks can cause a fall to occur. Here are a few strategies that can help reduce your risk:

  1. Speak with your doctor. Talk to your doctor to determine what might result in a risk of fall. Do you have any health issues with your bones, such as osteoporosis? Are there any medications you are taking that could make you drowsy or affect your balance? When you understand your risks, you have more knowledge on how to take care of yourself and be aware.
  2. Practice regular exercise. Having a strong body and good balance can help reduce your risk of falling. Working out your body on a regular basis will help to keep you strong by developing your muscles. In addition to your physical health, exercise can help your mental health. When your mind is more alert, you can assess risks quicker.
  3. Have your eyes checked. Make an appointment with your eye doctor to check the condition of your eyes. It is advisable to see your optometrist yearly as your eyesight can change more drastically as you age. Changing your prescription will ensure that you are better able to see and identify risks that stand in your way.
  4. Check your home. Identify any risks in your home that could contribute to a fall. Throw rugs are a common cause in fall victims. Having handrails within reach in locations that a fall could easily occur, such as a bathroom, can help you if you feel yourself losing your balance. Proper lighting in your home can prevent fall as well. This way, you are better able to see any obstructions in your path.
  5. Consider a personal emergency response system. If you feel as though you may be at risk for a fall and might find yourself in a position where help is not readily available, consider a personal emergency response system (PERS). This tool can be worn on your person so if you experience a fall, you can alert someone immediately and help will be on its way.

If you want more information on making you and your home safer in preventing a fall, contact one of our Service Coordinators today. We can provide Home Risk Assessments to help you make your home safer.

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    [post_date] => 2017-05-09 16:02:22
    [post_date_gmt] => 2017-05-09 20:02:22
    [post_content] => For seniors, experiencing a fall can lead to many dangerous health complications. It can be easier for seniors to break their bones as they age and when seniors fall, this tends to be the leading injury caused. In the United States, 95% of hip fractures are due to a fall. It is vital to take preventative measures to reduce a senior’s risk of fall.




As a senior, it is important to fully understand what risks can cause a fall to occur. Here are a few strategies that can help reduce your risk:

    
 	
  1. Speak with your doctor. Talk to your doctor to determine what might result in a risk of fall. Do you have any health issues with your bones, such as osteoporosis? Are there any medications you are taking that could make you drowsy or affect your balance? When you understand your risks, you have more knowledge on how to take care of yourself and be aware.
    2. 
 	
  2. Practice regular exercise. Having a strong body and good balance can help reduce your risk of falling. Working out your body on a regular basis will help to keep you strong by developing your muscles. In addition to your physical health, exercise can help your mental health. When your mind is more alert, you can assess risks quicker.
    3. 
 	
  3. Have your eyes checked. Make an appointment with your eye doctor to check the condition of your eyes. It is advisable to see your optometrist yearly as your eyesight can change more drastically as you age. Changing your prescription will ensure that you are better able to see and identify risks that stand in your way.
    4. 
 	
  4. Check your home. Identify any risks in your home that could contribute to a fall. Throw rugs are a common cause in fall victims. Having handrails within reach in locations that a fall could easily occur, such as a bathroom, can help you if you feel yourself losing your balance. Proper lighting in your home can prevent fall as well. This way, you are better able to see any obstructions in your path.
    5. 
 	
  5. Consider a personal emergency response system. If you feel as though you may be at risk for a fall and might find yourself in a position where help is not readily available, consider a personal emergency response system (PERS). This tool can be worn on your person so if you experience a fall, you can alert someone immediately and help will be on its way.
    6. 


If you want more information on making you and your home safer in preventing a fall, contact one of our Service Coordinators today. We can provide Home Risk Assessments to help you make your home safer.
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