Falls are one of the biggest causes of serious senior injuries. Sometimes, a fall that doesn’t seem terribly big can have severe health consequences and damage the senior’s independence. Understanding fall risks and what they are is essential for family caregivers to help seniors live in a safer environment. Senior home care providers can do so much to assist seniors and family caregivers in their quest to keep aging adults safer at home.
Understanding Common Fall Risks for Seniors
Every senior’s situation is different, of course, but there are some commonalities in fall risk factors that all seniors share. Chronic health conditions like heart problems, Parkinson’s disease, or recovery from illnesses like a stroke can all affect balance, coordination, and physical stability. Any health issue that causes seniors to be unstable on their feet could be a risk factor.
Also, medications that seniors need in order to keep their health under control could have side effects that could lead to a fall. Vision issues make it tough for seniors to avoid obstacles. Trouble with balance and mobility are additional risk factors, which can be caused by muscle loss, joint stiffness, and flexibility issues.
Senior Home Care and Minimizing Fall Risks
Identifying the fall risk factors is the first step. Afterward, it’s time to minimize those risks as much as possible. Senior home care providers help to monitor seniors and see how they’re feeling, whether they’re experiencing any changes in balance, mobility, or health.
Senior home care providers also do home safety assessments regularly for seniors. This involves removing clutter, spotting potential safety hazards, and recommending changes seniors might need at home to be safer.
Creating a Safer Environment
When seniors live in a safer environment, they are less likely to experience a fall or other injury. They’re also better able to enjoy life to its fullest. Senior home care providers work with seniors to declutter and organize their homes, helping to minimize obstacles. They can also help seniors move safely through their homes, offering support as seniors walk and reminding them to use assistive devices while they walk.
If elder care providers notice safety issues or areas where assistive tools would be helpful, they can alert family caregivers and seniors to what changes they can make.
Regular Communication Helps Everyone
Senior home care providers keep family members, especially family caregivers, aware of what is going on with the senior’s condition. They help family caregivers understand what seniors need and how to help them continue to avoid falls.
Caregivers can also help collect and log information about symptoms and what they observe about seniors during their visits so that doctors have a complete picture of what is going on.
Just the idea of a fall can be terrifying enough for most seniors. That’s because the consequences can be massive, even from a seemingly minor fall. Reducing fall risks and keeping seniors as healthy as possible takes time and effort, but senior home care providers can help. They understand what could contribute to fall risks for seniors and can help families put solutions in place that make life easier and safer for aging adults.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Arlington, VA, please contact the caring staff at Cardinal Home Care today! (703) 934-4610
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax, Virginia, and the surrounding communities.
Cardinal Home Care launched in 2019, with the purpose of providing quality non-medical home care to seniors wishing to remain in the comfort of their homes.
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax Virginia and the surrounding communities.
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