Senior Home Care Tips on Fall Prevention

Whether your aging loved one is living with you or if she’s living in her old home, there are areas in the home that you can review and update to make it safer for your senior and reduce the risk of her taking a tumble and injuring herself.

Falls do not need to be a normal part of getting older. Reducing the risk of a fall is fairly easy and just a matter of being aware of your loved one’s abilities and needs. Just as you might hire a senior home care provider to help her with household chores so she doesn’t strain her back, you can be proactive in preventing falls by reviewing these three areas of the home.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms have a higher risk of having a fall occur in them because of several reasons. First, they may be used in a rush, especially in the middle of the night. Some conditions may cause her to “run” to the bathroom, making tripping more likely. Second, they often get a wet floor due to water or condensation, making floors more slippery. Finally, your loved one may often enter to use in the dark, making it more likely she’ll trip over something on the floor that she doesn’t see.

Use a Nightlight

Keeping a low-wattage nightlight lit at all times means that she’ll have some visibility when she enters the bathroom to use it.

Keep the Floor Clean

Towels, dirty clothes, and even rugs with upturned corners should never be on the floor. If you have a senior home care provider, ask them to routinely review the bathroom floor to make sure it’s clear of tripping obstacles.

Install safety features like rails by the toilet, slip-prevention mats in the tub, and bars in the shower. All of these give your loved one more stability in the bathroom.

Stairs

Outside or inside, stairs can lead to falls, especially if they’re in a state of disrepair. If you have outside concrete steps, make sure they aren’t crumbling away on the edges and any outside stairs, even if it’s just two steps, should have a hand railing to provide extra support.

Inside stairs need to be well lit and if possible, have railings on both sides so that you’re loved one can use her stronger arm to help her both up and down the stairs. Like the bathroom, keep those stairs clear of any debris and ask your senior home care provider to help with that task.

Bedrooms

The sleep factor is what can make bedrooms so dangerous. If your senior is like many and needs to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, a dark room and a groggy person can increase the risk of a fall. The bedroom needs to have a clear, somewhat lit path to the bathroom to prevent a middle-of-the-night trip. If getting out of bed is difficult, installing a grab bar within reach of the bed can help your loved one get up safely.

By implementing a few safety precautions, you can prevent future falls and keep your loved one safe at home.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Home Care in St. Charles, MO please contact the caring staff at Autumn Home Care, LLC today at 636-448-9347.

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Kimberly Burdo

Owner at Autumn Home Care, LLC

Autumn Home Care is a locally owned and operated in-home elder care provider, dedicated to helping clients remain in the homes they love for as long as they can. We are a non-medical home care company, staffed by warm and compassionate professionals, experienced in taking care of seniors in various stages of health. We handle a wide range of services, such as help with shopping, housekeeping, attending doctor’s appointments, and preparing meals. We also provide clients with limited mobility or more intensive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia that need a higher level of personal care. Call our team if you need help with a loved one's care.

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