Preventing Senior Falls and Related Injuries

Senior Safety  |  October 12, 2021

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Fall and Injury Prevention

Preventing Senior Falls | According to estimates, one in every three older adults over 65 sustains a fall each year. While falling may not be particularly hazardous for some, the effects of falls are often disastrous for seniors. Fractures and internal injuries are the main causes of long-term hospital admissions in Canadian seniors and can be fatal.

Preventing Senior Falls: Why Are Older Adults More Affected?

The risk of experiencing a serious fall-related injury increases with age. Proneness to falls can be attributed to biological changes such as muscle weakness, mobility issues, vision loss, chronic conditions, and physical impairments. Then there are prescribed medications whose side effects are known to affect balance and gait.

Behaviour also plays a strong role when it comes to falls. Many seniors are accustomed to keeping up with their routines and attempt strenuous and unnecessarily risky tasks. Climbing a ladder to dust ceilings, hanging draperies, pruning trees, or shoveling snow are just a few examples of how falls happen.

Additional factors that put seniors at a higher risk of falling can be associated with poor lifestyle habits. Inadequate diet, a lack of physical activity, and alcohol abuse are some unhealthy habits. Lastly, environmental factors such as dim lights, uneven flooring, and a lack of handrails in the home are also major fall risks.

Preventing Senior Falls

The best strategy for reducing falls is to raise awareness. Introducing certain fall-proofing modifications to boost safety in the home can help. Family caregivers and elderly loved ones need to learn more about fall risks and how to eliminate them.

As a primary caregiver, you can help by encouraging your loved one to:

• Stay physically active and adopt a light exercise regimen that focuses on mobility, balance, and coordination
• Eat well-balanced meals and stay hydrated throughout the day
• Visit their physician to review medications and identify those that may cause dizziness or impair senses
• Avoid alcohol
• Schedule regular checkups and eye exams
• Use canes or walkers both inside and outside their home

In addition to this:

1. Inspect and fix loose carpets, rugs, clutter, or anything else your loved one may trip over.
2. Consider adding safety features such as grab bars, railings, or additional lighting fixtures in the bathroom and where necessary.

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be for preventing senior falls

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, overnight care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria provides in-home elderly care services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria in-home caregivers can help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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