Falling at home is one of the most common ways that seniors get hurt. It’s not possible to prevent all falls, but there are some precautions that you can take to make your mom or dad’s home safer for them, along with personal care at home services. If you do whatever you can to minimize the risks in your mom or dad’s home, you can minimize the risk that they will fall and get hurt.
The best way to accomplish this is to understand what causes seniors to fall into their homes. Seniors often feel a little unsteady on their feet because of the side effects of medications or because they have pain and stiffness in their joints. If your mom or dad has a medical condition like dementia, Parkinson’s, or arthritis, that can limit their mobility even more.
So, it’s important to make sure that your mom or dad has extra support everywhere in the home where being unsteady on their feet is likely to cause a fall. Personal care at home professionals can also assist aging seniors with routine tasks that become more difficult over time.
These are the most common ways that seniors fall at home, so adding extra support in these areas is a great place to start:
The Bathroom
Bathrooms are among the highest-risk areas for falls. Wet floors make surfaces slippery, and bathrooms are often small, which limits mobility. Getting in and out of the tub or shower or standing up from the toilet can also be challenging. These actions require balance and strength, which may decrease with age.
Tips to make the bathroom safer:
- Get personal care at home. With personal care at home, your mom or dad will have someone with them who can help them shower or use the bathroom safely.
- Use non-slip mats in the tub and shower.
- Install grab bars near the toilet and shower.
- Consider a shower chair to avoid standing on slippery surfaces.
Stairs
Stairs are a major fall risk for seniors. If your senior parent has weak legs or balance issues, it’s best to make sure they have a bedroom on the first floor if possible. Going up or down stairs requires coordination, and a single misstep can lead to a serious fall. If lighting is poor, it makes it harder to see each step, increasing the danger. Personal care at home providers can ensure the stairs are free from clutter and obstacles.
Tips for safer stairs:
- Ensure staircases are well-lit with secure handrails.
- Consider adding non-slip strips to each step.
- If creating a bedroom on the first floor isn’t an option, installing a stair lift may be a good way to make sure your senior parent can go up and down the stairs safely.
The Bedroom
Many falls happen in the bedroom, often when seniors are getting out of bed. Seniors struggle the most with dizziness or balance issues when they’re tired, so when your mom or dad is going to bed, they have a higher risk of falling. Getting out of bed in the middle of the night for a drink or to use the bathroom can also cause them to fall.
Tips to reduce falls in the bedroom:
- Place nightlights near the bed and along the path to the bathroom.
- Keep the floor clear of any clutter or loose items with personal care at home services.
- Add a stable bedside table that is the right height for support when getting up.
The Kitchen
The kitchen can be dangerous for seniors due to spills and reaching for items. Wet or greasy floors can become slippery. Trying to reach high cabinets or bending down for lower ones can also cause balance issues. The kitchen’s hard floors mean any falls could be serious. Personal care at home providers can help with cleanup, organization, meal prep, and more.
Tips to make the kitchen safer:
- Clean up spills immediately to keep the floor dry.
- Arrange frequently used items in easy-to-reach places.
- Get your mom or dad a mobile kitchen cart they can use for stability and to help them move items around the kitchen.
The Living Room
Living rooms often have rugs, cords, or clutter that can be tripping hazards. Moving between furniture, especially if it’s close together, can be challenging. Soft surfaces, like thick rugs, might make balance harder. For seniors using walkers or canes, clutter-free spaces are essential.
Tips for fall-proofing the living room:
- Secure any loose rugs with non-slip pads or remove them.
- Tuck away or tape down any cords that cross walkways.
- Arrange furniture to create clear, open pathways.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Tempe, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care today. Call (480) 777-0070
Legacy Home Care is a top provider of home care services in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Phoenix, and surrounding areas.
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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