Table of contents:
- Tips to prevent the elderly from falling
- 1. Consult a doctor
- 2. Understand the routine of the elderly
- 3. Keep the elderly away from dangerous items in the house
- 4. Use safety equipment
- 5. Make sure the house gets enough light
With age, the elderly experience decreased function of balance and body movement. They are more prone to falls and are at risk of serious injury. This is why every family member who cares for the elderly needs to understand how to prevent them from falling easily.
Tips to prevent the elderly from falling
There are several ways you can protect your elderly from falling. The following include:
1. Consult a doctor
Regular consultations with doctors are useful for the elderly to understand what makes them prone to falling.
Doctors usually will assess the condition of the elderly by asking several questions, for example:
- Have you fallen before?
- Are there any side effects of certain drugs that make them prone to falling?
- Does the cause come from certain diseases?
- Do elderly people need to use a cane or hold on when walking?
- Do they feel unstable?
2. Understand the routine of the elderly
In order to prevent your elderly from falling, you need to understand their daily routine.
Identify and note what can cause the elderly to fall, from waking up in the morning to returning to sleep at night.
You need to know what furniture in the house that makes the elderly often stumble, drugs that interfere with their body coordination, and other dangers that exist in the vicinity of the elderly's residence.
3. Keep the elderly away from dangerous items in the house
Sources of danger can be found in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, stairs, and even the hallway of the house. These hazards can come from the furniture, layout, or cleanliness of your home.
You can prevent your elderly from falling by eliminating sources of danger in your home. Here's how:
- Remove small tables, shelves, or plants from places they walk frequently
- Tidy up any boxes, piles of newspapers, and cables that get in the way
- Repair damaged or sticking floors and carpets
- Get rid of unnecessary carpet
- Store piles of frequently used clothes, food, utensils, and other utensils in an easy-to-reach place
- Clean up all water, oil, and food crumbs spills
4. Use safety equipment
Safety equipment can really help you to prevent your elderly from falling easily.
Make the environment where the elderly live safer by installing the following equipment:
- Handrails on both sides of the stairs
- Dedicated toilet seat with arm support
- Handles around the shower or tub
- Non-slip mats under the shower and frequently stepped on the bathroom floor
- A special seat in the bathroom so that the elderly can shower while sitting
5. Make sure the house gets enough light
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Sometimes, simply eliminating the dangers at home is not enough to prevent an older person from falling. They are often unaware of the danger because their visual ability has decreased.
Make sure the elderly's residence has enough lighting by installing lights in the bedroom, bathroom, and hallway.
The light switch should also be easily accessible. Also prepare a flashlight for emergencies.
Keep in mind that the general health condition of the elderly has significantly deteriorated. Even a simple accident like a fall can have a big impact.
In fact, the elderly can experience fractures to paralysis just from falling.
Your participation as a family member is very important in this regard. Creating a home and being alert can help prevent falls and keep them from more fatal risks.
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