Anyone can fall. But as we age, our risk of falling becomes greater. That’s the bad news. The good news is that falls can be prevented. The first step to preventing falls is to understand what causes them. For example, poor balance, decreased muscle and bone strength, reduced vision or hearing, and unsafe conditions in and around your home can increase your chance of falling. Staying safe and on your feet is a matter of taking some steps to protect yourself.
You can prevent falls by making the needed adjustments to your home and lifestyle, and by making sure you eat well, stay fit, and use whatever devices will facilitate your daily life while keeping you safe. Your independence and well-being are at stake. Take action!
Top 3 Long Term Effects From Falls Among Seniors:
Injury: Depending on where and how a senior falls, there is always a high risk for serious injury. Broken bones are a leading cause from seniors falling.
Loss or Reduction of Independence: The result of any fall can cause a serious and problematic mindset for any senior. Many times a senior will fall and attempt to shrug it off to family and friends as a minor incident, but the actual fact is, it can affect their daily habits or confidence.
A loss of confidence or any amount of stress caused from a fall can lead a senior into depression, or fear of going outside the home. This cause and effect can severely cause a decrease in their healthy diet and exercise.
One Fall Can Lead To Another: A single fall can begin a chain reaction of more falls. Unless remedied, a senior falling once can lead to falling again and again. It is important to take the first fall seriously and a warning as to what can come without the proper structure.
Tips For Making Your Living Conditions A Safer Place Inside & Out to Preventing Fall:
Outside The Home:
- Do all your entrances have an outdoor light?
- Do your outdoor stairs, pathways or decks have railings and provide good traction (i.e. textured surfaces)
- Are the front steps and walkways around your house in good repair and free of clutter, snow or leaves?
- Do the doorways to your balcony or deck have a low sill or threshold?
- Can you reach your mailbox safely and easily?
- Is the number of your house clearly visible from the street and well lit at night?
Inside The Home:
- Are all rooms and hallways in your home well lit?
- Are all throw rugs and scatter mats secured in place to keep them from slipping?
- Have you removed scatter mats from the top of the stairs and high traffic areas?
- Are your high traffic areas clear of obstacles?
- Do you always watch that your pets are not underfoot?
- If you use floor wax, do you use the non-skid kind?
- Do you have a first aid kit and know where it is?
- Do you have a list of emergency numbers near all phones?
For more information on Senior Protection and how to stay safe and live your life with confidence.