Have you ever noticed that following a fall, elderly people frequently struggle with illness and frailty? Well, it's not just your imagination. Seniors really are way more susceptible than average to being injured through falling. According to CDC figures, around 25% of adults aged over 65 have reported a fall in the last year.
For local seniors here in Kansas City, Missouri, these falls are often down to controllable factors, such as home layout or after a summer storm. It is potentially quite hazardous for local seniors. Interested in learning more about effective fall prevention systems and how to protect yourself or your loved one from fall-related injury?
Read on for some useful senior safety tips.
Fall prevention systems are vital in senior care because falling is more than the initial pain. Head injuries lead to complications, doctor's visits, and occasionally a visit to the hospital emergency room. That's because falls can be serious, and in the healthcare industry, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
When a senior falls, they could hit their head, resulting in a serious injury. Likewise, they could also break bones. The effects of head injuries aren't always obvious right away, especially in seniors.
A suspected head injury case often involves staying in the hospital overnight to be watched. The same is true of broken bones, which may cause debilitating mobility issues for months.
Seniors who live alone are particularly at risk. Mobility problems make them less likely to keep the house clean and free of clutter. If they do fall, they're also more likely to get stuck on the floor and not be able to call for help.
Clearly, fall prevention and effective balance support for seniors are key parts of senior well-being.
Fall prevention is particularly important in Missouri because the local Department of Health reports fall-related deaths are above the national average. In some cases, head injury from a fall can be so severe that the incident proves to be fatal. Seniors, their families, loved ones, and senior communities need to do all they can to help reduce these unfortunate incidents.
The tragic part about senior falls is that with one fall, the next one is more likely. That's because injuries exacerbate mobility issues, which cause the next accident.
For some unfortunate seniors, an initial fall can be the start of a downward trajectory of falls, health scares, and doctors' appointments.
Seniors can avoid falling into this trap by checking their homes, making them safer, and by doing exercises that boost mobility.
Building a safer environment and reducing the risk of falling is sometimes as simple as minimizing clutter. By removing potential obstacles and hidden hazards from doorways and walkways, you can effectively reduce the rate of slips, falls, and other physical mishaps.
Clearing out the clutter is a good start, but it's not enough.
Think about the frequently used objects in a space. If someone with mobility problems has to duck down to a low shelf every time they want to have a cup of coffee, not only is this uncomfortable, but it's an accident waiting to happen. Keep frequently used items in easy-to-reach places, reducing the risk of strain and injury.
You should also make sure living spaces are well-lit. Night vision tends to fade as we age, and many seniors have eye conditions that may make them less sensitive to light.
Lay out senior living spaces in a way that presumes a lack of vision, put things in logical places, and don't block walkways. Install a reliable lighting system that fully covers the residents.
Consider using motion-activated net lights for places like landings or porches where slips and falls at night are more likely. By installing effective lighting, you can avoid the majority of late-night trips to the emergency room.
Many slips and falls happen in the bathroom because the tiles tend to be quite slippery when wet. Grab bars and handrails are important for senior home safety because they help seniors keep their feet on the ground.
According to UCLA Health, the bathroom is where most slips and falls happen.. A senior home without a bathroom fitted for senior safety is a certified health hazard.
Installing grab bars can do wonders for reducing the rate of falls in the bathroom, but it's essential that these safety features are correctly installed. Grab bars, for example, need to be capable of handling a lot of weight, as they're meant to act as a lifeline for seniors who slip.
This is only possible if they're done according to the technical safety specifications. They need to be drilled directly into the stud without an effective anchor. The grab bars might look nice, but they'll end up ripped out of the wall when someone grabs one in panic.
Unless you have enough DIY experience to be confident of safe installation, it probably makes sense to work with a professional. A pro can make sure the grab bar can withstand way more force than any falling senior can deliver, and they can make sure they're installed at the optimal height.
Effective fall prevention systems mean changes. Changes like getting rid of clutter, investing in mobility aids for seniors, or doing full renovations. But renovations are costly, and for some seniors, they're unaffordable.
Sadly, many seniors end up confined to the first floor because stairs are difficult and chairlifts aren't an option.
For these seniors, moving to an independent living community may make more sense. These communities mimic typical homes while adding extensive safety features built to the latest standards.
If you're interested in seeing such a community for yourself here in Kansas City, Missouri, we'd love for you to come and visit. Come to Garden Village and experience for yourself everything our independent living options have to offer.
We take pride in our community spirit; that's why we give something back through our exclusive military veterans program, throughout all of our activities and residences. Safety is always at the forefront of our minds.
Contact us today and schedule a tour, and we'll be happy to showcase these powerful safety features.