For younger people, falls can often result to bumps and scratches. However, for elderly people, or your elderly parents, falls can cause a lot of damage. From broken wrists to brain injuries, health professionals can never caution us enough about the dangers of falls in the elderly.

If you are taking care of your elderly parent or loved one at home, you may also be concerned about their risks of falling and the problems that may arise from this. To help you, here are some tips that you can apply in your home to help prevent falls in the elderly.

Tips for Preventing Falls in the Elderly

You don’t really have to remodel your house. With these few tips, you can keep your elderly loved ones safer in your own home.

1. Clear the clutter. Keep your house need and organized. Avoid clutter especially on the floor and hallways, as well as staircases, which can cause them to trip.

2. Remove tripping hazards. Rugs and certain furniture and fixtures are tripping hazards. Repair or remove them altogether to prevent falls.

3. Install handrails and grab bars. These safety devices can help your elderly loved ones in the bathroom and in the stairs.

4. Avoid loose clothing. Avoid clothes that drag on the ground or those that can get caught in furniture and cause them to fall or trip.

5. Choose the right shoes. Get them comfortable, non-slip footwear.

6. Keep your house well-lit. Dark hallways can also be a hazard. Ensure that you have bright LED light bulbs installed. Night lights can also be helpful.

7. Avoid the stairs. Whenever possible, restrict your elderly loved ones’ movement in one level of the house or limit the trips they take on the stairs.

8. Slip-proof bathrooms. Bathroooms are especially dangerous for the elderly, so make sure you put non-slip mats on slick surfaces. Same goes for kitchens and other places with slick and slippery floorings.

9. Encourage care. Encourage your elderly loved one to more more carefully, to avoid sudden movements especially when they want to stand or sit after lying down.

10. Use a cane. Have them use a cane or walking stick to help them get the support they need as they move around in the house.

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For help caring for your elderly loved one, we at Blessed Home provides a safe, secure, and private environment where they can have the independence that they need while being closely monitored by professional caregivers and medical team.