Remember the time you have cried out of pain after falling down the stairs? Didn't you have your mother or father beside you, wiping your tears and doing everything possible to reduce your pain?
Well, the times have changed and it is now your responsibility to comfort them if they meet with a fall. However, just comforting will not suffice. Considering the bones are ageing too, your aged parents might suffer from serious injuries that may lead to restricted mobility and bearable pain.
Although home attendant services are great to take care of your aged parents, monitor their movements, help with daily chores and prevent serious falls, there are some steps that you can take to support the nurses and help in offering quality care.
But before you should understand why falls are so dangerous. Irrespective of the fall being big or small, it can lead to serious injuries. Falls can lead to both fatal and non-fatal injuries to the aged above 60 years of age. This can make way for serious conditions such as fractures, dislocated disc or even spinal injuries.
Given below are some of the reasons why a fall may occur –
With age one may suffer from lack of balance and proper coordination that may be due to inactivity leading to serious falls.
Certain chronic health issues like diabetes or arthritis require medications that may lead to dizziness or loss of control making the aged trip or fall.
With age, vision tends to deteriorate and make get blurred which I can make it hard for the senior citizens to see appropriately and spot obstacles which may lead to severe falls
Lack of home attendant services can make movement difficult for aged individuals with restricted mobility leading to falls.
Now that you have gathered some knowledge on the severity and reasons for falls, discussed below are some of the steps that you can consider to stop your senior members of the house from falling.
Make your Home Fall-Proof
The way one makes changes in the house for the toddlers, similarly one should renovate their house to make it safe for the senior citizens as well. Invest in proper lighting along the staircase and hall. Also, make sure that there is no scattered furniture that may lead to tripping or falling. In case any area is slippery, make all the required changes to increase friction and grip. You can also install secure rails along the staircase and grab bars in the bathrooms to reduce the risk of falling. In addition, you can avail home attendant services to monitor every movement and assist the aged while they are roaming about.
Monitor Medication
Make sure that proper medicines are taken on time. Aged patients with diabetes, arthritis, blurred vision or depression should never skip or delay their medication as it may lead to imbalance, reduced coordination, dizziness or sudden unconsciousness resulting in falls.
You can avail home attendant services for your aged parents to monitor medicine, supplement, nutrition and liquid intake on time.
Encourage Activity
Inactivity or lesser activity may lead to obesity resulting in improper body balance. This may increase the chances of serious injuries. Hence encourage your aged parents to remain fit and active. Light exercises and physiotherapy can work wonders for older adults.
Avail a Helping Hand
You can avail home attendant services to ensure the safety of your aged parents. The attendant can help your aged parents with movement and addressing regular chores while reducing the risk of falls. Having a helping hand nearby can boost the confidence of the elderly as well.
These small steps can save your aged parents from serious accidents and also make them feel secure in and around the home premises. While you appoint professional caregivers make sure you evaluate their years of experience to ensure the quality of service.
