Preventing Senior Falls, the First Line of Defense

Falls are unfortunately very common among the elderly and seniors, commonly caused by the natural degradation of the senses brought about by age, which is compounded by diseases such as glaucoma, osteoporosis, and arthritis. A fall can be extremely serious, so it is imperative as a caretaker to try to improve the way that the senior interacts with the environment.

Usually, the first line of defense for a senior should be a good pair of shoes and some form of walking aid, like a rollator.

Starts with the Shoes

When trying to protect a senior from a fall and reduce the risk of an injury, a well made pair of shoes with anti-skid soles is very important. The shoes are, in many regards, the first line of defense against a fall, as no matter what the situation, they will almost always be there. Further, you can spend thousands on home medical equipment or paid nurses, but if you have a pair of shoes that are not anti-slip, the senior is still at a very big risk of a fall.

Choosing the right type of shoe is an important decision and it is a good idea to consult a doctor or an , to determine what type will work best with the seniors bone structure. However, generally, the shoes should be closed toed and provide some ankle support, to reduce the risk of a twisted ankle. Also, they should be easy to take on or off by the senior, so often shoes with laces are avoided, in place using ones with Velcro or otherwise designed to remain on the foot securely, but be removed easily.

Using a Cane or Walker

While it is possible to be there for a senior and lend them an arm some of the time, it is not possible, nor would it be practical to always be there to help them walk. Also, when you act as a support for a senior, there are a few risks, such as that both of you could slip or that you might damage your back. So, a cane or walker is an essential tool for any senior.

In practice, walkers are the most secure and provide the most stability for a senior. Of the many different walkers, rolling walkers, which are often called rollators, are one of the more popular kinds, as these can be pushed forward, instead of having to pick it up with each step, as you would with a traditional walker. Rolling walkers also have brakes on them, as well as usually providing a platform that can be used as a seat, so they can be extremely convenient and useful, especially when waiting in line somewhere.

When getting into and out of a car, rolling walkers can make it much easier for the senior, as there are two handles for them to grab onto and since it is locked in place, it will not move or tip over, as a regular walker might.

Canes do not provide the same amount of stability that a walker would, but some seniors prefer them, as they do not carry the same kind of connotations that a walker might. Canes can be a good choice for those who are basically able to walk well and see well, but for those who have even slightly above average difficulty walking, a walker will be a better choice.