It’s no secret that seniors experience a lot of challenges and changes as they age. One of the biggest concerns is probably around the possibility of experiencing a fall, especially because a fall can lead to some significant injuries that last. There are a lot of ways that families can help their aging adults to avoid a fall, however, and it’s a good idea to have help from 24-hour home care to implement some of those solutions.
Understand the Risk Factors for a Fall
Every senior has different risk factors for a fall, but there are commonalities. Understanding the specific fall risks a senior has might mean taking a trip to their doctor to talk about what’s happening. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Chronic health conditions
- Muscle weakness
- Balance issues
- Medication side effects
- Poor vision
- Cluttered living spaces
- Poor lighting
Getting a full picture of what’s happening allows family caregivers to start to make progress against those risk factors.
Do a Home Walkthrough
It’s a good idea for family caregivers to do a thorough home walkthrough with their senior family members. This allows them to get an idea of what the home environment is like, what changes might be necessary, and whether there are issues like excessive clutter or home repairs that need to be tackled immediately.
Improve Balance and Strength
Another important change is for seniors to start taking steps to improve both balance and strength. This can be tough for seniors to manage, especially if they have health issues that cause them to be less active overall. Seniors should always check with their doctors before starting a new exercise plan to make sure that it fits with their current health. Staying on target with new exercise plans is easier with help from home care providers.
Schedule Health Checkups
Sometimes seniors skip appointments with their doctors, which causes them to miss things that could contribute to a fall. Getting back on track with regular health checkups could make all the difference in preventing falls for aging adults. If transportation is an issue, elder care providers can help with this, too.
Schedule Eye Exams
Good vision is a crucial part of helping seniors to see obstacles and problems that could lead to a fall. With obstructed vision, seniors find it much more difficult to safely get around in the world, much less their own homes. Just as with regular doctors’ appointments, regular eye exams need to be on the calendar.
Hire 24-hour Home Care Services
Seniors often need a little more help than they might realize, especially if they have a high risk of experiencing a fall. 24-hour home care can be there around the clock to offer help and support to seniors. They offer personalized care plans that fully meet seniors’ needs. They also offer companionship and help families to understand more about what their aging adults need.
Fall prevention is a huge part of helping a senior to have the best possible quality of life. With the help of 24-hour home care, family caregivers can ensure that their aging adults have the support they need to stay safe.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Vicksburg, MI, please contact the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care today. Call (269) 329-4717.
Fresh Perspective Home Care is a trusted non-medical senior home care provider in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, Richland, Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Gull Lake, Yorkville and Otsego, Michigan.
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