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Thrive with Parkinson’s: with Geriatrician Mehrdad Ayati, MD & the Parkinson’s Foundation
Saturday, April 6th 11am-1pm at Little House Activity Center. Click HERE & RSVP Today!
Open Mobile Menu
fall prevention in older adults

Fall Prevention in Older Adults

Each year, millions of older adults find themselves in the emergency room being checked out or treated for a fall injury. 

While aging is unavoidable, you can help prevent falls with your loved one through knowledge and care. 

Falling can result in severe injuries for all ages. Still, they become more risky and serious as we age, as fragile bodies and underlying health problems can make it more difficult for them to recover. 

Fall prevention is the best way to keep your senior loved one safe and independent for years to come. 

Continue reading about the most common causes of falls, fall prevention strategies, and when to transition your loved one to a safe and comfortable senior living community. 

Causes of falls in older adults 

As your senior loved one ages, their mental and physical health may change, and these changes can increase their fall risks 

Medical conditions 

  • Balance problems
  • Memory diseases
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Diabetes
  • Heart conditions
  • Infections 
  • Loss of mobility 
  • Stroke
  • Vision and hearing loss

Environmental causes

  • Carpets and throw rugs
  • Clutter
  • Poorly lit rooms 
  • Slick floors 

Medication

  • Antidepressants
  • Antipsychotics
  • Opioids
  • Sedatives

Take the right steps to prevent falls and serious injury

If your loved one has health conditions, take the time to learn about these conditions, and how they may affect them. 

Adults with memory diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, may be independent and get around perfectly fine during the early stages of the disease. However, in time they will need more assistance and support to remain safe. 

For seniors taking medications, it’s essential to monitor how they affect them. If they experience lightheadedness or feel dizzy, or drowsiness, they need to see a healthcare professional for adjustments. 

Often, older adults with health conditions can live alone safely, with the help of a caregiver and assistive devices. 

To ensure the safety of your loved one, their home may need some modifications. 

For seniors who are unable to live alone or with the help of a caregiver, our team at Kensington Place Redwood City is compassionate and supportive. 

We monitor our resident’s health daily to ensure their individualized care plan is up to date and beneficial to their wellbeing. 

A safe living environment 

Since your loved one will spend most of their days inside their home, it only makes sense to make it as safe as possible and remove all home hazards. 

Common tripping hazards include loose carpets, rugs, thresholds going from carpet to linoleum, electrical cords, and other clutter. Ensuring a clutter-free home can prevent future falls and injuries. Grab bars and extra lighting, included in most senior living communities such as Kensington Place Redwood City, are key for fall prevention in aging seniors. 

If your loved one has difficulty standing for long periods or struggles to maintain balance, they will need grab bars, handrails, non-slip mats, and a shower seat. 

To prevent your loved one from climbing or using ladders, put their most used items within easy reach and on the lower shelves in their cabinets. 

For stairs inside the home, anti-slip stair treads can be a lifesaver. Make sure they have proper lighting and install night lights where need be. 

In the winter, a family member or friend should always salt steps outside the home to prevent them from becoming slippery and icy. 

Maintain physical health 

To preserve physical fitness and health, older adults need exercise and physical activity. 

Through exercise, older adults can prevent bone loss, relieve osteoarthritis pain, boost immunity and mood, and improve strength, balance, and gait. Proper hydration, especially after exercise, is also of great importance. At Kensington Place, we can monitor fluid intake and offer a variety of healthy refreshments to keep a resident’s mind and body fueled.

Even seniors unable to stand long can engage in sit-to-stand and chair exercises.

In an enhanced memory care community, seniors have ample opportunities to participate in life-enrichment activities. 

These opportunities can keep seniors active and help them restore or improve their mobility and range of motion, as well as other skills that can reduce their chances of falling.

When to transition to a community setting?

Being a caregiver is a rewarding job, but there will likely come a time in your caregiver journey when you realize your loved one needs more time and support than you can offer. 

If your loved one needs health services and specialized care, and it’s unsafe for them to be alone, a memory care community can help maintain a higher quality of life for both you and your loved one. 

Those who have already taken a fall once are also good candidates for moving to a senior living community. Once an adult falls once, their chances of falling again increase. 

Transitioning your loved one to a community can benefit you and your loved one in ways beyond just preventing falls. 

Often caregivers quit taking care of themselves because they feel guilty if they don’t meet all of the needs of their loved one. 

By transitioning your loved one to a senior living community, you will have more time for self-care and the chance to spend quality time with your loved one, making memories. 

Some older adults struggling with a health condition or recovering from surgery may need around-the-clock care now but not in the future.

In this case, your loved one would still benefit from transitioning to a community where they can receive the highest level of care, even temporarily through respite care. This is often a great first step in a possible permanent solution.

A community to keep your loved one safe

Our Promise at Kensington Place Redwood City is to love and care for your family as we do our own. 

We know how important it is that your loved ones are cared for, safe, respected, and comfortable, which is why our team goes above and beyond to make our residents feel happy, secure, and heard. 

We offer high-quality services and the best amenities so that our residents have a home where they can truly age in place. 

When your loved one joins our community, they will receive: 

  • Around-the-clock care
  • Alzheimer’s care
  • Dementia care
  • Cardiac care
  • Parkinson’s disease care
  • On-site nurses
  • Pain management 
  • Fall prevention/balance 
  • Memory enhancement services 
  • Exquisite dining services
    • Speciality diets
  • Fitness, wellness and on-site rehabilitation services
    • Access to a physical or occupational therapist
    • Speech therapy for communication and swallowing issues 
  • A calendar full of life-enrichment activities 

Contact us to learn more about our cozy and safe memory care community and how we help our residents maintain and improve their well-being.

Check out our blog for caregiver resources and tips, and upcoming events.

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