VISITING ANGELS LAKES REGION, NH 603-366-1993
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Elderly Fall Prevention: Spotting The Warning Signs

In senior health, fall prevention care is crucial. A serious fall can lead to a hip fracture, which can dramatically reduce a senior’s life expectancy. At Visiting Angels of Gilford, we’ve developed the Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Program to teach seniors, their families, and their caregivers about fall prevention care and how to make the home a safer place. In our program, we stress the importance of identifying risk factors and warning signs before falls happen. This gives you the opportunity to be proactive as soon as you witness these signs.

 

            Monitoring Your Loved One

            Due to many age-related issues, seniors are at a higher risk of falling. As these risk factors pile up, a senior’s fall risk increases as well.

            At Visiting Angels of Gilford, we recommend that you monitor your loved one for common warning signs and risk factors. This doesn’t mean that you have to monitor them constantly. But, you should keep an eye out for hazards within the home and physical signs that your loved one could be at risk for falling.

 

            Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Elderly Adults

            Below, are risk factors that could lead to an elderly adult losing their balance:

  • Change of hearing
  • Declining eyesight
  • Muscle weakness or frailty
  • Injuries, stiffness, or pain in hips, knees, ankles, or feet
  • Reliance on supports when walking, getting up, or sitting down
  • Chronic physical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, or Parkinson’s
  • Prescription medications with side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, poor vision, poor balance, or muscle weakness
  • Overuse of alcohol and/or abuse of narcotics

 

            Below are some hazards to look out for throughout the home:

  • Steps and stairways with loose/unsecured handrails and/or steps
  • Loose wires, objects, or rugs that could be tripped over
  • Bathroom or kitchen tile without non-slip tread
  • Important items kept in high places
  • Showers and bathtubs without non-slip tread
  • Hallways and walkways without adequate nighttime lighting

 

            Don’t wait for these risk factors to pile up before taking action. Just one of these factors could lead to a life-altering fall. If you believe that your loved one may have a high fall risk, act now.

 

            Fall Prevention: What’s Next?

            If you’ve realized that your loved one is at risk of falling, there are a couple of things that you can do to promote fall prevention care.

  • Encourage healthy eating and physical exercise. Each will lower their fall risk.
  • Make fall prevention improvements throughout the home.
  • Bring someone in to monitor your loved one (family member, caregiver, etc.)

           

            Learn more about fall prevention care by reading our Safe and Steady guide or contacting the local offices of Visiting Angels of Gilford.

Serving the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and surrounding towns

Visiting Angels LAKES REGION, NH
401 Gilford Ave #208
Gilford, NH 03249
Phone: 603-366-1993

Serving the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and surrounding towns

Visiting Angels LAKES REGION, NH
401 Gilford Ave #208
Gilford, NH 03249
Phone: 603-366-1993