Falling can have detrimental consequences on the health and quality of life in aged adults. They are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among individuals aged 65 and over. Given that there are serious risks and potential health complications involved, aged adults and their caregivers should be acutely aware of the importance of fall prevention. Here are some tips for your consideration.
Causes of Falls
Falls can occur due to many different reasons and circumstances, including:
- Age: As you age, your body undergoes natural changes like a deterioration in strength and bone density, and some other common factors that come with aging are poor vision and high blood pressure due to a lack of physical activity and slower organ function
- Environment: A dangerous environment with safety hazards and inaccessible areas pose fall risks
- Lack of physical activity: Mobility issues and weakened muscles can result in poor balance, flexibility, and coordination
- Health concerns: Conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s have symptoms like bad eyesight, weakness in hands and feet, and weakened strength
Communicate Well
We can prevent falls experienced by our aged loved ones if we communicate effectively and seek solutions. It is important to speak to your loved ones who may not report falls as they may think it is embarrassing, not serious, or of concern to others. These conversations and concerns should be relayed to their primary care provider, who will be able to determine if they are taking any medications that may increase their fall risks and propose a change. They may also notice injuries in their medical history to warn the individual about the dangers of falling.
Get Regular Exercise
Incorporating daily exercise routines may help aged adults enhance their physical mobility and strength. As everyone is unique, creating a specially tailored program for each individual and catering the workout to their specific needs, is ideal. Typical exercises aged adults can engage in include water aerobics, walking exercises, and exercises targeting balance. Here at Veranda Club, our aged-adult friendly fitness center and programs are designed to improve the overall health and wellbeing of all residents, regardless of their needs or pre-existing medical conditions.
Remove Hazards
Stairs can be a huge hazard for aged adults in any home. With every step comes the tendency for individuals to lose their balance, miss a step, or slip. The house could also be filled with furniture and clutter or have a layout that poses fall risks. It is worth investing in fall prevention equipment to help prevent the risk of injury. However, removing the stairs, relocating to another home, or decluttering may be inconvenient and a hassle for aged adults. Specialized equipment may also be costly. Some aged adults make the decision to move to a senior living community with the appropriate facilities and amenities. Here at Veranda Club, our independent living and assisted living apartments are fully equipped with aged adult-specific safety features to mitigate any fall risks, as well as an emergency response system.
Prioritize Your Health and Wellness at Veranda Club
Our residents’ health and wellness are of utmost priority at Veranda Club. If you are interested to find out more, contact our team and we will be more than happy to assist, schedule a tour and answer any questions you may have about the living options, apartment layouts, and many more.
