As your loved one ages, preventing them from falling will become more important. Each year, 1 in 4 adults over age 65 will experience a fall.
While not all falls lead to injuries, 1 out of 5 leads to serious injury, such as broken bones, hip fractures, or head injury.
Learning the most common causes of falls and the risk factors can help protect your senior loved one and help them preserve their quality of life.
Seniors who have already taken a fall are at a higher risk of falling again in the future and may need to be monitored closely.
Injuries can make life much harder for older adults, especially if they are already dealing with other health problems. Keeping their body safe from injuries will help them maintain their well-being.
Learn more about the importance of fall prevention, the four P’s of fall prevention, standard fall prevention interventions, and where to find a safe assisted living community.
The importance of fall prevention
Preventing older adults from falling is crucial for safety.
One fall can change your senior loved one’s entire life. Falls can reduce independence and cause broken brokes, strains, sprains, lacerations, internal bleeding, hip injuries, head injuries, and disabilities.
Falls can even be fatal to an older adult, making fall prevention a top priority for caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals.
When seniors fall and become more dependent on others, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness.
Educating yourself and taking the proper precautions can prevent most falls and reduce your loved one’s risk of falling tremendously.
At The Kensington Falls Church, we monitor our residents for changes in their health and behavior and update their care plans as needed.
To ensure our residents maintain their strength and balance, which is known to help prevent falls, we offer life-enrichment activities, rehabilitation, and Balance In Action.
Our specialized Balance In Action program is an evidence-based fall risk management clinical initiative for individual patients with increased risks of falls in any care setting.
The four P’s of fall prevention
Remember the 4 P’s approach to help your loved one avoid falls. Checking in and addressing their needs will help you be aware of their overall health and where they most need support.
Pain
Is your loved one experiencing pain? Assess their pain level, and offer medication if needed.
Personal needs
Is assistance with personal care needed? Offer help using the toilet and washroom, and offer nutrition and hydration.
Position
Is your loved one in a comfortable position? Help them get into a better position, and ensure orthotics and positioning devices are working.
Placement
Make sure your loved one’s essential items are within reach. Place their phone, glasses, remote control, drink, and other things they would like on a bedside table.
Clear their area from clutter, so if they do get up, there is nothing to trip on.
What are standard fall prevention interventions?
Some of the most common fall prevention interventions include:
- Taking dietary supplements (vitamin D)
- Behavioral therapy
- Exercise
- Environment modifications
- Knowledge and education
- Medication management
Often more than one type of intervention is used when trying to prevent an older adult from falling.
Keeping older adults mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy can reduce their chances of falling.
With physical therapy and sit-to-stand exercises, and by removing clutter, cleaning spills immediately, and understanding the side effects of prescribed medications, your loved one’s odds of falling are reduced.
The Kensington Falls Church emphasizes the importance of a healthy mind and body by providing a calendar full of life enrichment activities, a health and wellness program, and nutritious meals.
Our team is compassionate and considerate of our resident’s needs and makes it a top priority to keep them safe, comfortable, and happy.
What are 5 ways to prevent falls?
There are many ways to practice fall prevention at home. Most of these strategies are simple, cheap, or free and don’t take much time.
Clean up clutter
A neat and tiny home free of clutter and tripping hazards is the best way to protect your loved one.
If there are rugs, electrical cords, stacks of books, newspapers, or boxes in their hallways or paths, remove them.
Adequate lighting
It can be challenging to maneuver around in the dark for people of all ages, but it can be even more dangerous for seniors with vision loss.
Make your loved one’s home easier to navigate by installing new light bulbs and night lights.
Install safety devices
Install grab bars and sturdy handrails where your loved one may need them the most. They will likely be needed for going up and down the stairs, by toilets, and by bathtubs.
Additionally, a non-slip rubber mat can be added to bathrooms and the kitchen. If necessary, install a raised toilet seat or shower chair for added support.
For seniors with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, or mobility issues, they could be installed down hallways as well.
Stay physically active
Exercising regularly can improve muscles, gait, and balance and make your loved one stronger. A workout regimen can also help them keep their joints, ligaments, and tendons flexible.
Learn the side effects of medications
Medications are one the most common causes of falls and one of the easiest to fix.
If your loved one is having symptoms of dizziness, impaired balance, or drowsiness, discuss these concerns with their physician or healthcare professional.
The Kensington Falls Church-a home your loved one can comfortably age in
The Kensington Falls Church has made it Our Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own.
We understand how challenging it can be to watch a loved one decline or live a lesser quality of life.
To ensure our residents maintain their health, we offer various amenities and support to help them improve their quality of life and happiness.
When your loved one joins our community, they will experience:
- Around-the-clock care
- A full spectrum of clinical support
- On-site nurses
- Individualized care plans
- Alzheimer’s care
- Dementia care
- Rehabilitation services
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Opportunities to socialize and build friendships
- Exquisite dining services
Contact us to learn more about our assisted living and memory care communities, cozy suites, caregiver resources, and upcoming events.