Home Care Partners, LLC
PO Box 590
Hingham, MA 02018

Phone: 781-378-2164

Email: info@homecarepartnersma.com

Important Tips to Help Seniors Avoid Falls

- By John D. Miller

For seniors, the odds of falling each year are about one in three. Good odds if you’re looking to win a lottery; not very good odds if you’re a senior or care for a senior and want them to stay safe and healthy.

Falls constitute the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths among older adults. There may be many, many reasons for falls. Perhaps dizziness, or general balance issues. Or Parkinson's related muscle deterioration. Loss of eyesight. Lower body issues related to hips, knees, ankles, feet, and swelling.

Fortunately, many falls are preventable by following some common sense steps. For example:

1. To reduce the likelihood of side effects from medications and to maintain overall health, make an appointment to see a physician(s).

Have the doctor review all your medications for possible side effects and interactions that could increase the risk of falling. Speak to the doctor about any eye or ear problems that may increase the risk. Discuss questions about balance, numbness, dizziness and joint pain. (Always ask questions!)

2. Keep active

It is only through exercise and activity that you will maintain and improve your balance, muscle strength, flexibility and gait. People who are in good shape are less likely to fall. I know this may sound a bit like the "chicken or the egg" dilemma. To paraphrase..."if I'm not comfortable walking and fear falling, how/why should I walk more often?" But the truth is simple. Keeping your muscles relatively strong necessitates using them! If you don't maintain some level of activity, your muscles will naturally weaken. This may sound like "work", but it is worth the effort.

3. Wear sensible shoes.

Stay away from accidents waiting to happen such as high heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles that can make you slip, stumble and fall. Shoes can provide some stability around your feet and ankles, as well as providing a stable platform for balance. Avoid shoes with extra-thick soles and choose lace up shoes instead of slip-ons (and make sure to tie the laces).

4. Remove home hazards.

Your home is likely to be filled with booby traps. Do you have space to walk comfortably in your home? Eliminate the clutter! Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways. Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing. Can you repair any loose, wooden floorboards and carpeting? Prep flooring with nonskid floor wax, and use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower.

5. Keep the living space well lit.

As you age, less light reaches the back of your eyes where you sense color and motion. So make sure to keep your home and front steps brightly lit with 100-watt bulbs or higher to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see. Also, place a lamp near your bed and within easy reach for when you get up at night. Consider installing glow-in-the-dark or illuminated switches. Put night lights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways. Turn on the lights before venturing up or down stairs. And store a flashlight nearby so you can grab when needed.

6. Use assistive devices like a cane or walker, if necessary.

A little help with balance and walking can go along way. (Leaning on your partner for help and balance is NOT appropriate! This puts two people at risk of falling!) You should consider grab bars mounted inside and outside your shower or bathtub. Perhaps a sturdy, plastic seat in the shower that will allow you to sit more comfortably when bathing. Do you have handrails on both sides of all stairways? Also consider buying a raised toilet seat or one with armrests -- which is a big help. Finally, what does the floor or the steps look like? You can apply nonslip treads on wooden steps which will hold your foot and prevent slipping.

Falls are not always preventable, and can cause much pain, suffering, and longer term health problems. Breaking a bone and having to spend 4 weeks at a rehab facility may adversely effect both you, and your spouse. Or hitting your head and requiring the EMT's to arrive and a trip to the hospital for overnight observation. Sometimes these things happen. Yet, following these tips can go a long way to limiting your risk.

John D. Miller is the owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a local South Shore business providing in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. He can be reached at 781-378-2164; email: info@homecarepartnersma.com ; or online at: www.homecarepartnersma.com

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