Falls are more common as we age. Sometimes it is because of hazards in the home that previously weren’t a problem such as rugs or cords. Other times it is because of a physical issue such as declining eye sight, vertigo, or blood pressure changes such as syncope. What ever the cause, there are ways to make it safer for your Loved One to be safe in their home.
The easiest and first step is to take a walk through the home and do a safety inspection. Imagine that you are shuffling your feet. What impedes your progress? Look at the placement of furniture, is there room to easily maneuver? Are there hazardous electrical cords, extension cords, or wires that can be made safer? Look to see if there are piles of stuff that can be cleaned up, organized or moved. Once you have fall-proofed the walking areas you can move on to more complex items like supports in the bathroom where falls often occur. A profesionally-installed handrail can make your loved one more secure getting in and out of the shower/tub. A bench for the shower/bath can also help. There are many solutions available to make the home safer for seniors at risk to fall.
If medical issues or physical conditions aren’t already being addressed, now is the time to talk to the doctor about your concerns. The doctor can follow up on medical causes of unsteadiness. You should also take into cosniuderation if your Loved One has had a stroke, their vision may be impaired on one side so they won't notice obstacles on the affected side.
At Shylo, our Geriatric Nurse Specialists are very experienced with assessing safety in the home. When setting up care, we come to the home to assess the client’s needs and can suggest ways in which the home can be made safer. With over 40 years of experience, we have lots of great ideas. Also, once we are providing services, our Registered Nurses make complimentary monthly visits to ensure the client is doing well and if additional changes should be made.
