Fall Prevention and Calgary Seniors

Home Care Blog>In Home Care  |  November 18, 2016

Fall Prevention for Seniors

Senior Fall Prevention | More seniors fall and get hurt than individuals in other age groups. As a result, many people assume falling is a result of aging. The good news is that this is false logic. Falls are not a result of aging, and they can be prevented. For seniors, fall prevention is more than avoiding the odds, it is about maximizing health, independence, and quality of life, because when seniors do fall it is usually serious.

Tips for Senior In Home Safety

The first step in fall prevention is analyzing and preparing the home environment. After all, over 70 percent of senior falls take place in the home. Calgary seniors can count on Comfort Keepers to provide support in this area. A home risk analysis will identify the areas most likely to lead to a fall so they can be fixed. The most common findings are cords, cables, and loose rugs in walkways. Safety suggestions often include grab bars near toilets and showers, addressing level shifts in the flooring, motion sensor lighting, and railings in the hallways.

Statistically, the primary reason for age-related senior falls is a lack of strength and flexibility in the lower half of the body. Frail seniors may be too afraid to start an exercise program, and those with chronic, progressive, or severe medical issues may struggle many forms of exercise. In these cases, the most popular forms of exercise include walking, water aerobics, swimming, yoga, and Tai Chi. Others find that stationary bikes are more to their liking. The secret is simply finding something that is of interest that can be done safely. Calgary seniors Comfort Keepers staff can make all of the difference, as they offer the physical, emotional, and social supports needed for seniors to find and stick with an exercise program.

A significant number of senior falls are also attributed to decreased vision, dizziness due to medication and ear problems, and improper diet. Fall prevention includes regular medical check-ups and proper treatment such as up-to-date prescriptions for glasses, dietary guides, and medication management and oversight. Calgary seniors can get much of this support, including transportation to and from appointments, shopping, and cooking from Comfort Keepers senior care services.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Senior Fall Prevention

If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

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