As people age, they become more susceptible to falls. This is due to the decrease in physical strength and coordination that comes with aging. Plus, many medical conditions and medications can cause dizziness or lightheadedness which can increase the risk of falls.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of falls among seniors. Let’s take a look at some of these methods.
How to Reduce the Likelihood of Falls: 10 Helpful Tips
As people age, they become more prone to falls due to weakened muscles and other physical changes. These falls can lead to serious injuries including broken bones or even death.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of falls in senior citizens. Here are some tips for preventing accidental falls among the elderly.
1. Ensure Good Lighting Conditions Throughout Your Home
It’s important to keep your home well-lit, as this helps you spot potential tripping hazards more easily. Make sure all pathways and rooms have adequate lighting, even if this means installing extra lights in dark spots.
2. Keep Walkways Free of Clutter
It’s also important to keep walkways free of clutter such as furniture, rugs, and other tripping hazards. If possible, try not to move furniture around too much; instead, opt for static pieces that won’t shift or cause potential obstacles in a path.
3. Consider Installing a Stairlift
Stairlifts provide elderly individuals with an easy way of getting up and down stairs without having to worry about falling or losing balance. They offer a secure seat that swivels at the top and bottom of the stairs so that you can transfer safely onto the next level without issue.
4. Install Railings on Both Sides of the Stairs
If a stairlift isn’t feasible or within your budget, consider installing railings on both sides of the stairs so you can hold onto them while going up and down steps safely. Make sure they’re secured properly and regularly maintained so they don’t become loose over time.
5. Install Grab Bars in Bathrooms
Grab bars are essential in bathrooms so you can steady yourself when getting in or out of the shower or bathtub.
Be sure to look for grab bars with grips that won’t slip off easily when pulled against them—look for ones with rubberized grips instead!
6. Shovel Snow and Chip Off Ice Outside in the Winter
When winter weather hits, make sure that any sidewalks, driveways, and steps outside your house have been cleared of snow and ice.
This is especially important if an elderly person is responsible for shoveling—make sure they use a lightweight shovel with a bendable handle to reduce strain on their back or arms.
If necessary, hire someone else in the neighborhood to do it for them.
7. Get a Shower Seat
Installing a shower seat is an easy way to prevent falls in bathrooms, especially when combined with grab bars near showers or baths. This provides stability and support while allowing seniors to bathe without having to stand up or balance themselves while they wash up.
8. Put Down Non-Slip Mats
To help seniors walk around without slipping or sliding, invest in some non-slip mats for both inside and outside your home. These mats should be placed wherever there is a chance of water being spilled, such as near sinks or around tubs.
They will provide extra traction on wet floors so that seniors won’t have to worry about slipping and falling while walking around their home.
9. Tuck Away Extension Cords
Extension cords can be dangerous if left out in open areas where people can trip over them. To avoid this potential hazard, make sure that all extension cords are tucked away neatly when not in use.
This will also help prevent anyone from tripping over them as they walk around your house—especially those who may not have good eyesight or coordination due to age-related vision problems or other medical conditions.
10. Stay Active
Regular exercise can help improve balance and coordination, which can reduce the risk of falls. Exercise also strengthens muscles which helps prevent muscle weakness and fatigue, both of which can contribute to falls.
Walking is a great form of exercise for seniors as it is low-impact and easy on the joints. Swimming is also a good option as it provides resistance training while still being gentle on the body. Talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen to ensure that it is safe for you.
Final Thoughts
All in all, there are many steps that seniors can take to reduce their risk of falls. By exercising regularly and creating a safe home environment, seniors can improve their balance and strength while increasing awareness around potential fall risks before they occur.
Taking preventive measures now will go a long way!
