On September 22, at the beginning of the fall season, falls prevention awareness day is observed. This is a very important issue that needs our entire attention. The day is utilized to address this public health concern because it is the main reason for injury-related Emergency department visits. Falls might provide a greater risk than they initially appear. These accidents have the potential to be fatal, especially for the elderly, thus extra care should be taken to ensure that they are protected. They can result in bruises, hip fractures, and head injuries.
Fractures are typically the most frequent major injury brought on by falls in senior people. In this age range, falls, osteoporosis, and other variables that make people more prone to injury combine to cause fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis. Are you creating a senior-friendly home? Many seniors want to live independently at the comfort of their homes can choose Athulya Home Healthcare, to receive the required care but what if their home might not be designed in a senior friendly way. In this case, seniors require carefully planned areas in order to live comfortably. Here are a few key considerations when making changes to an elderly person's home's interior and tips to reduce falls.
Many things can cause a fall
● It's possible that you don't have as
good of hearing, eyesight, or reflexes as you did when you were younger.
● Your balance may be affected by
certain illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, or issues with your nerves,
feet, thyroid, or blood vessels, which may cause you to trip and fall.
● Falls may also be more likely with
conditions like chronic stress that force faster steps to the restroom.
● Elderly people who have mild
cognitive impairment or specific types of dementia are more likely to fall.
● Risk factors for falling include
aging-related muscle loss, issues with balance and step, and blood pressure
lowers too high when you get up from laying down or sitting
● Your risk of falling can also be
increased by painful feet and dangerous footwear, such as high heels or
backless shoes
● Some drugs include side effects,
such as confusion or dizziness, which might raise a person's risk of falling.
You are more prone to fall if you take more drugs.
● Falls can also occur as a result of safety risks in the house or neighborhood.
Tips for Designing Your Home for Fall-free aging
It's not difficult to select flooring for senior residents who want to age in place in their houses. It's important to prioritize these five primary aspects for each type of flooring, as well as for how and where you'll use it. These five elements are:
● Does the flooring's material provide
a non-slip surface even when it's wet?
● Travel ease: Is the flooring
material simple for someone using a wheelchair, walking stick, or walker to
move over?
● How much work is involved in
cleaning and maintaining the flooring?
● Comfort: How does walking on the
flooring feel?
● Does the flooring provide any cushioning in the case of a fall?
Wheelchair
Access
If providing wheelchair access is a top priority, all rooms
should have wide entrances and easy pathways. All corridors should be at least
5 to 6 feet wide for smooth movement because a wheelchair's turning radius is
approximately 5 feet. Having doors that are at least 4 feet wide is a good
idea. Double doors are preferable than single doors if your rooms are on the
smaller side. Make sure that entrances have both steps and a ramp with a gentle
slope to prevent injuries in elders.
Tackling
Staircases
Many elderly people struggle to climb stairs. Consider
building a stairlift if your home has two storeys and an elderly person needs
to reach both levels. The chair or lifting platform on this mechanical device
slides along a line that is attached to the wheels.
Installing
Grab Bars
For the elderly, grab bars are an essential safety feature in the bathroom. They are simple to install and provide assistance with showering and toileting. Grab bars come in a wide range of styles; try to install ones that are fastened into the wall because they are safer than grab bars that are attached using suction cups.
Senior-friendly
Furniture
A senior's residence should never be overstuffed with
furniture. Chairs should be solid and adequately balanced, and sharp edges and
corners should be avoided. It is practical to keep glasses, water, medical
equipment , and other items on bedside tables or other seated spaces. If rods
are too high to reach, a pull-down wardrobe lift is a helpful accessory. All
items inside the closet should be conveniently accessible.
Add a
High-Tech Home Security System
Installing burglar alarms, security cameras, smoke alarms,
and other safety devices is essential, especially for elderly people who live
alone. Balcony grills should be at least 4 feet high, and windows should have
safety bars. A great way to increase home security is using front entrance
security cameras. It's crucial to make sure that all of these devices are
simple to use.
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