As we age, we may feel a little more unsteady on our feet. The fear of falling can leave elderly people feeling anxious about going outside, staying active, and even moving around their own homes. Learning how to prevent falls at home could reduce the risk of your loved one having a fall and help them live more confidently and independently.
Our homes can harbour trip and fall hazards that become increasingly dangerous as we grow older. From steep stairs to cluttered floors, these are just some of the main culprits of falls at home. By making simple changes to your loved one’s home, they will be able to move around with ease and without worrying about falling.
Equally important is ensuring that your loved one feels healthy, balanced and strong, as this is an integral way of avoiding falls at home. If an individual shows signs of unsteadiness or mobility issues, preventing slips, trips and falls at home should be a top priority.
In most cases, falls at home are preventable. Addressing the causes of falls and putting safety measures in place can help keep your loved one steady on their feet and give you peace of mind.
Risks of falls in the home
For elderly individuals, falls at home become less of an embarrassment and more of a health risk. A fall at home can be minor and leave an individual with no lasting effects. However, falls have the potential to cause very serious health issues in the elderly.
When someone who is elderly falls at home, they could face a number of injuries due to the fall. Even the smallest of falls commonly result in breaks and fractures in the elderly. This is due to a loss of bone mass and an increased risk of osteoporosis in adults aged over 50, making breakages and fractures more likely among people in this age group.
If an elderly person falls and is fortunate enough not to break any bones, they may still experience severe bruising. Skin becomes thinner as we age, which makes it more susceptible to damage and bruising.
Another complication resulting from a fall is whether or not an elderly person can get back on their feet. This is especially important for individuals living alone, as a fall may leave them unable to get back up for hours at a time.
Falls can also have psychological impacts on elderly people. A fall can be a frightening experience at any age, but when a person is older and perhaps less steady on their feet, a fall can knock their confidence further. A fall can also cause an elderly person to lose their sense of independence..
5 ways to prevent falls at home
There are many ways to prevent falls at home and keep your loved one safe from harm. Being aware of the various changes we go through as we age can help address the common risk factors for falls in the elderly.
Check out these top five tips on how to prevent falls at home for elderly individuals.
Diet and hydration
Without proper nutrition and hydration, an elderly person runs the risk of experiencing dizzy spells and losing balance. A balanced diet ensures that your loved one has the energy and strength they need to move around safely and steadily.
By eating regular, set meals and having nutritious snacks on hand, your loved one can stave off feelings of lightheadedness. Dizziness can also be down to dehydration, so drinking enough water throughout the day is essential for stability.
Exercise
Another way to prevent falls at home is to work on core strength, balance and stability through regular physical exercise. While we don’t mean that your elderly loved one should be taking part in high-impact sports, gentle exercise and strength training is important as we age.
From daily walks to chair yoga, there are many ways in which your elderly loved one can implement a regular exercise routine. Muscle mass, bone density, strength and function often decrease as we grow older. Encouraging your loved one to follow some light strength training exercises could help them feel more secure, steady and in control of their bodies.
Eye tests
Elderly people can expect some degree of vision loss, which is why eye tests are so important at this stage of life. The risk of falling or tripping due to vision impairment can be managed by regular eye tests, at least every two years.
As eyesight plays an integral role in balance, ensure that your loved one is wearing the correct prescription, so that they can see where they are going and can spot trip hazards. Booking eye tests and replacing old glasses are simple actions that can drastically reduce the risk of falls at home.
Medication side effects
Does your loved one know about the potential side effects of their medications? If not, it is definitely worth going through these with your elderly relative. Some medications can cause dizziness or muscle weakness, resulting in a higher chance of an individual losing balance and falling.
If you are worried about the side effects of the medications your loved one is taking, suggest that they get a medication review. Their doctor can review medications after a year, or sooner if there is any cause for concern. Talking with your loved one’s healthcare practitioner about their medications can help address the issue of side effects and how to manage them.
Clothing and footwear
What you wear can also increase the risk of falls at home. Clothes that get in the way and restrict mobility are not a good look for anyone, let alone an elderly person who may struggle to get around. For example, trousers, skirts or dresses that are too long and trail behind, getting caught around the feet, is not advisable.
Equally important, footwear should fit correctly and support the feet. Choosing non-slip soles is a good move to ensure that your elderly loved one can walk without the fear of losing their footing. If wearing slippers around the home, suggest that your loved one opts for sturdy styles that grip the floor and comfortably support the foot. Walking around wearing socks or stockings with no shoes or slippers is also a slip hazard and should be avoided.
Tips for avoiding falls at home
If you are wondering how to prevent falls at home for elderly loved ones, there are many ways to help. Trips, slips and falls needn’t be inevitable as we age, making a few simple changes is all it takes to reduce the likelihood of falls at home. To safeguard your elderly loved one, check out these tips on ways to prevent falls at home.
- Declutter: clearing floor space, tidying up trailing wires and checking for loose carpet.
- Accessibility: so that your loved one doesn’t have to climb atop chairs or step ladders to reach everyday items, ensure that objects are organised so that they are within easy reach.
- Equipment: install hand or grab rails around the home to help with stability. Also, make sure that your loved one uses walking aids if they are unsteady on their feet.
- Good lighting: ensure rooms and passageways are well lit.
- Spills: make sure that spillages are mopped up as soon as they happen, as an elderly person can easily slip.
- Non-slip mats: consider covering slippery surfaces, such as kitchen and bathroom floors and bathtubs, with non-slip mats to provide extra grip.
- Move mindfully: accidents often happen when we are distracted and rushing about. Tell your loved one to take their time when moving around the home and to avoid hasty movements.
- Ground floor living: if possible, it may be a good idea for your elderly loved one to live on one floor, preferably ground floor level. This is especially important if they struggle with stairs.
- Ask for help: ensure your loved one feels comfortable asking for help or talk to them about arranging care for extra support with certain chores. For more information about home care, take a look at the types of care services we offer.
How to prevent falls at home for elderly relatives
There are plenty of ways in which you can help your elderly relatives hazard-proof their homes, preventing slips, trips and falls at home. First of all, regularly checking up on your elderly loved ones will enable you to spot what issues they are struggling with. As you spend time together, any changes to their mobility and steadiness may become more apparent.
If you do notice that your elderly loved one is struggling with stability and is at risk of falling, the next step is to talk things through. Chatting with your elderly loved one about the concerns they have regarding falls is a good place to start.
By talking, they might open up about times when they have felt unsteady or at risk of falling. Together, you can both address their individual concerns and set up a strategy to make your loved one feel more steady on their feet. Once you have established what your loved one is worried about in terms of tripping or falling, you can help them take proactive measures.
Home care and preventing falls
Realistically, we cannot always be on hand to help our elderly loved ones and look out for them 24/7. If you feel that your elderly relative is becoming increasingly unsteady on their feet and has already experienced multiple falls, you may want to consider home care.
Book a care needs assessment
Home care includes both visiting care and live-in care and can be personalised to suit your elderly loved ones’ individual needs and schedules. Whether they require extra support for a few hours a week or need daily care, there are options available for everyone.
Finding out the appropriate care solution is important if your loved one requires extra support in their home. Home carers can not only be there for your elderly relative to assist with trickier everyday tasks, but they can also spot any signs of unsteadiness or risk of falling.
For more information on how home care can help in preventing slips, trips and falls at home, check out our handy article on home care services explained.
If you are thinking about home care for your elderly loved one, contact us to discuss your options. We offer a free no-obligation enquiry service, including a free at-home care needs assessment. This allows us to fully understand your loved one’s needs and wishes before you make any decisions about care.
