Elderly people are more prone to falling than younger folks. Reasons could be numerous, ranging from medication side effects to illnesses. If you have an elderly parent you need to take care of; you need to devise a fall prevention plan immediately to avoid any severe harm. Below are some steps you can take to avoid the elderly from falling:
- It is advisable to basically draw out all the statistics and figure out what are the chances of falling. You can make an appointment with the doctor, and he might figure the plan out by determining facts like what medications your parents are on if they have any previous record of falling, are they prone to falling owing to any illness they might have already, etc. So you have to make sure you provide the doctor with all the right prescription details, especially the sedatives or the medication that makes your parents feel weary and tired.
- Physical fitness plays an important role when it comes to fall prevention. But that doesn’t mean you put your parents on a treadmill. Find gentle exercises that work best for their bones and have a strengthening effect. Walking and swimming could prove helpful. But only after consultation with your parent’s doctor. Or you can also learn how to keep your parents active by reading this article.
- Get them better shoes. Even though, this tip is particularly useful for people of all ages and gender but for the elderly you need to be more considerate. Even if your mum has been a fan of high heels, you can coax her into wearing those pretty flat sandals instead because it’s ultimately safer for her. When at the shoe shop, take your time. Try and find the perfect fit because it is ultimately going to help prevent any falls.
- Using assistive devices is a foolproof way of reducing fall risk. Normally, once your doctor is done assessing the current position of your parent he’s going to recommend a device if he deems it necessary, like a walking cane. But there are other helpful devices like you can install handrails along the stairway, on both sides. This helps prevent a fall by providing something that can be held on to, especially right when a person is about to fall. Seats for the shower and toilet seats with armrests provide great security in this term.
- Get them a clear space to live in. Avoid a living room cluttered with furniture. Arrange the furniture in a spacious manner that allows easy passage, make sure the rugs don’t have rolled-up edges, and all cords should be attached to the floor or walls with duct tape. Verify that the lighting is enough through both, day and night. If you prefer daylight during the day keep all the windows open. Be certain you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in place because carbon monoxide works much like a sedative. If you feel as though their home is no longer suitable for them, or they continue to fall you may want to consider assisted living so they have some support.
With a few basic steps like these, you can effectively prevent an elderly parent from falling.
About the Author:
This post is written by Chris Palmer who is a comedian and a public speaker. He has got a lot of valuable information about dementia and elderly care. He regularly blogs at AgeSpace.com
