You don't have to wrap your elderly loved one in cotton in order to keep him safe in the event of a fall. Falls do happen everywhere, but because most seniors generally tend to spend most of their time at home, most falls occur at home. There are some things you can do to help your senior avoid a major fall.
Good Shoes. Is your loved one trodding around barefoot or in slippers or sandals? Buy him some solid shoes with great support and a slip-free tread. If the home is mostly carpeted, decide together the most appropriate footwear for the surface.
Railings. At the very least the bathroom equipped with hand rails near the toilet and in the bath or shower? Many people don't use their canes and walkers at home so having hand railings installed throughout the living area can help prevent those nasty falls.
Assisted Devices. Does your loved one need help walking? Depending on the lack of mobility he or she may need a cane, wheelchair or walker. Walkers are the best choice for people who still have mobility but wish to avoid falls.
Remove Obstacles. Is there a low-lying coffee table in the middle of the room? Is the bed too high up off the floor? Remove the coffee table or shove it against a wall. Remove the bed frame and put the box with mattress on the floor.
Exercise. Muscle strength is probably the number one thing your loved one can do to prevent falls -- especially exercising those core muscles. If that means nothing to you, employ the help of a physical therapist to set up special exercises that exercise your elderly loved one at the proper intensity for his or her age. Or purchase one of the many quality core exercise DVDs that can be found on the Internet.
Vision Check. Some medications can cause blurred vision. If this is the case, ask their doctor if alternative medications are possible. Make sure your loved one has a vision check and a current prescription for glasses, too.
Stair Help. The best position to be in is near your loved one's elbow. That way you can prevent him or her from falling forward or backwards down the stairs. And walk slowly - rushing can cause spills.
The whole purpose of this is to prevent a broken hip or concussion. But make sure you don't just come into your elderly loved one's life and just take charge. Make it a team effort and you'll be much more successful at convincing him or her of making any changes.
Good Shoes. Is your loved one trodding around barefoot or in slippers or sandals? Buy him some solid shoes with great support and a slip-free tread. If the home is mostly carpeted, decide together the most appropriate footwear for the surface.
Railings. At the very least the bathroom equipped with hand rails near the toilet and in the bath or shower? Many people don't use their canes and walkers at home so having hand railings installed throughout the living area can help prevent those nasty falls.
Assisted Devices. Does your loved one need help walking? Depending on the lack of mobility he or she may need a cane, wheelchair or walker. Walkers are the best choice for people who still have mobility but wish to avoid falls.
Remove Obstacles. Is there a low-lying coffee table in the middle of the room? Is the bed too high up off the floor? Remove the coffee table or shove it against a wall. Remove the bed frame and put the box with mattress on the floor.
Exercise. Muscle strength is probably the number one thing your loved one can do to prevent falls -- especially exercising those core muscles. If that means nothing to you, employ the help of a physical therapist to set up special exercises that exercise your elderly loved one at the proper intensity for his or her age. Or purchase one of the many quality core exercise DVDs that can be found on the Internet.
Vision Check. Some medications can cause blurred vision. If this is the case, ask their doctor if alternative medications are possible. Make sure your loved one has a vision check and a current prescription for glasses, too.
Stair Help. The best position to be in is near your loved one's elbow. That way you can prevent him or her from falling forward or backwards down the stairs. And walk slowly - rushing can cause spills.
The whole purpose of this is to prevent a broken hip or concussion. But make sure you don't just come into your elderly loved one's life and just take charge. Make it a team effort and you'll be much more successful at convincing him or her of making any changes.
About the Author:
Do you or your elderly loved one need help preparing for issues related to aging and dying? Purchase a copy of How to Die Without Regrets and Have Closure by Katie & Dan Marsh. This unique book helps you to prepare a last will and testament, an advance directive, your memoir and so much more.
