Fall Prevention: How Can You Prevent Your Senior From Taking a Tumble in Greenville?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 3 seniors over the age of 65 will fall each year. Because they are so common and can result in a vast array of injuries, ranging from mild to deadly, falls are cited as the leading cause of injury death among the elderly population. The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Greenville, serving Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville, Taylors, Fountain Inn, and Mauldin, know that, because of the damage that a tumble could cause, fall prevention is a primary responsibility of caregivers. 

Accidents are not always avoidable and, despite your best efforts, your senior may still suffer from a fall; however, you have the ability to minimize the risk that such an accident will take place. These tips will assist you in creating a living space that encourages your elderly loved one to maintain their mobility while ensuring their health. 

1. Keep your loved one's home free of clutter. Shoes that are left by the front door, objects strewn through the hallway, and other misplaced items can all cause your senior to trip. A daily cleaning effort will keep this issue under control. 

2. Fix any damage to the walking surfaces of your senior's home, both inside and out. From cracked sidewalks to warped hardwoods, a variety of damaged surfaces can spark a stumble. Protect your loved one by repairing or replacing flooring and other surfaces that pose a threat to their wellbeing. Remove any throw rugs that don't lay flat and put slip-resistant backings on those that do. 

3. Ensure that your senior has access to necessary safety devices. From rails placed in the hallway to handlebars in the bathroom, these devices will assist them in remaining upright. Ensuring that such devices are properly installed is of particular importance in the bathroom, where grab bars should be securely anchored into the studs in the wall. Additionally, non-slip pads in the shower, elevated toilet seats, and shower/tub seats will also help your loved one stay safe in the bathroom. 

4. Reinforce the importance of proper lighting. Make sure that all of the lights in your senior's home work and that they are used. By better seeing the walkway, elderly individuals can more effectively avoid a fall. 

5. Install a stair lift if your loved one cannot walk up the stairs on their own. The addition of a second railing, which is anchored into the wall, will also improve the safety with which elderly individuals can make their way up to other levels of their home. 

6. Remember to lock wheelchairs when transferring your senior into or out of them. This will enhance the safety of such a transfer and keep the wheelchair from rolling away while helping your loved one get situated. 

The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Greenville know just how dangerous a fall can be. As such, they encourage you and your senior to work together to identify and address the factors that create the greatest risk for an accident. By following these tips and asking your senior if there are any other ways in which you can help them prevent a fall, you can minimize the odds that your loved one will take a tumble.