With the holidays around the corner, many families will welcome elderly loved ones. But did you know your home could be dangerous for seniors? In fact, the home is the most common place people take a fatal fall. One out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year—and this week alone, more than 30,000 Americans over the age of 65 will be seriously injured from a fall.
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Nearly a third of those who survive that fall will be forced to live with injuries that will affect their independence the rest of their lives, such as hip fractures or head traumas. Those types of injuries from falls not only make it hard for seniors to live independently, but those injuries can sometimes be fatal.
Compounding the problem, when seniors fall, they usually develop a fear of falling, even if they're not injured. That fear can easily turn into a senior choosing to limit their physical activity which in turn increases their risk of falling again.
For these reasons, fall prevention is essential, and professional caregivers play a vital role, both in helping seniors prevent falls and cope with fall-related fears they may already have.
Whether you live in the same town as your loved one or across the country, local Senior Helpers' caregivers can help fall-proof your home for visits as well as your loved one's home for safer living, providing families with the comfort that someone is watching over their senior members and helping make sure they're living in a safe environment.
Here are tasks a home care professional can provide to prevent falls in a senior's home. When a senior is coming to visit you, these steps can be taken to look out for their well-being and make your home safer, too:
Safety-Proofing The Home
Adding Safety Devices
Checking Seniors' Shoes
Lighting Up Living Spaces
Exercising Regularly
Taking Seniors For Eye Check-ups
Review Medications