11/13/2024
Welcome back to the ☀️ Navigating Home Care ☀️ in Ontario series!
As we celebrate November as , here are some fall prevention tips!
Older adults face a higher risk of falls due to factors such as mobility challenges, balance issues, and certain health conditions or medications. Here are some of the ways to reduce fall risk for yourself or an older loved one:
🌟 Keeping an open dialogue
First, you want to make sure you are keeping an open dialogue with your loved one about falling. Is he or she worried about falling? If so, why? Is it due to certain medications or a lack of mobility?
By knowing where the fear of falling lies, you can help your loved one improve his or her confidence so that fear doesn’t stand in the way of safely getting around.
Rebuilding confidence can be as simple as introducing exercises like tai chi, which can help older adults regain mobility and balance.
🌟 Eye Exam
If it’s been over a year since your loved one’s last eye exam, it’s time for a checkup. As we age, so does our eyesight, and diminished vision can make walking more difficult, increasing fall risk.
If your loved one is experiencing vision problems or has problems adjusting to different lighting, talk with a doctor about what can be done.
🌟 Home Environment:
~~Take a look around the home environment.
~~Clear the home of clutter, particularly on the floor, and phone cords from the path of walking
~~Make certain that rugs are adhered to the floor and not loose, and
~~Install handrails along stairways
~~Also ensure that the entire home and outdoor space are well-lit and easy to navigate
~~Move small tables / coffee tables, or magazine racks from high-traffic areas
~~Leave items used the most within easy reach ( phone, clothes, cups)
~~Clean spilled food or liquids right away
~~Use nonslip mats in your shower or bathtub
🌟 Lights
~~Place night lights in your bathroom, bedroom and hallway
~~Have a bedside lamp within easy reach
~~Turn on the lights before going down or up the stairs
🌟 Use assisted devices:
~~Wear your hearing aids and eyeglasses regularly
~~Consider purchasing assistive devices such as a reacher or a bathing sponge.
~~Explore the option of a bath bench or chair
~~Try using a raised toilet seat for added safety
Avoid purchasing these devices from online platforms like Amazon before consulting a professional. Instead, speak with a professional first who can accurately assess yours or your loved one's specific needs, mobility level, and other aspects of their care. This will help determine the most appropriate assistive devices for their situation.
If you have any questions, please contact us at Qualicare Toronto.
