There are many cases where cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, and joint disorders like Arthritis can increase the chance of a fall among seniors. Often these falls can be very serious due to weaker bones and slower reaction times, so it is important to take precautions to prevent falls around the home. Here are ten tips that can be used to help prevent falls for seniors.
Make Your Environment Safer: There are many things you can do to make your home safer. This involves things like removing throw rugs, keeping your home free from clutter, using anti-slip bath mats, clearly marking the stairs with an easy to see textured tape, installing extra grab bars in the bathroom, and making sure there is adequate lighting is also important.
Regularly Check your Vision: An improper eyeglass prescription can make it hard to see, so going to the optometrist on a regular basis is very important. Also, as a result of macular degeneration, a persons eye site can fluctuate.
Start Exercising on a Regular Basis: Low stress aerobic and light weight bearing exercise is very important to staying healthy, improving balance, and preventing falls. Even just exercising twenty minutes every other day has been shown to help reduce the chance of a fall.
Understand Your Medications: Today, there is more medicine than ever available to treat almost any ailment. Many of these medications can affect your balance. Always talk with your doctor about the different prescription drugs you are taking, so you know which ones might make you unsteady on your feet. Understanding all the effects of the medicine you are taking is extremely important.
Invest in a Good Pair of Shoes: Having a pair of shoes with a non-skid sole can greatly reduce the risk of a fall. The worn out bedroom slippers should probably be replaced with well fitting anti-skid shoes.
Use a Walker: Using a walker is an excellent way to make it easier to get around and also reduce the chance of falls. Rollators, or rolling walkers, are very popular. They usually have three or four wheels and also double as a seat. Rollators in some ways are much more stable than traditional walkers, but always make sure you set the brake when not in use.
Pay Attention to your Surroundings: Always look around, both at the ground and along your path. Take care to be aware of curbs and steps or when working in the yard.
Pay Attention to the Weather: Water can make walking very difficult, even if you use a walker or cane. Always check the weather before leaving home. If it is raining or there is a chance of rain, consider staying in, unless you are visiting an area that you can enter without being exposed to the elements. Ice and snow can also be very dangerous. If you must go out in the snow or ice, consider using spikes on your cane or walker to better grip the ground.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Nobody can do everything alone, so don’t be afraid to ask people for help. Most people will gladly help you to and from your car, to your table at a restaurant, or around a store, so never be afraid to ask.
Drink Alcohol Moderately: Alcohol can make even the most nimble person more likely to fall. It might not always effect your judgment, but it almost always effects your balance. Always be very careful of how much alcohol you consume away from the home and if you have been drinking at home, don’t take any unnecessary risks. This one ties into number 9, so if you have been drinking, ask someone to help you to your car and do not ever drive after drinking.
Falls can happen anywhere, but fall proofing your home is probably one of the most important steps you can take to prevent falls.
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