The numbers reported by the Public Health Agency of Canada are very troubling:
• 85% of falls are the cause of seniors' injury-related hospitalizations • 95% of all hip-fractures are the result of falls • 50% of all falls which require hospitalization occur within the home
BUT, there are easy, low-cost ways to reduce your elderly parent or spouse's risk of falling.
While the usual measures include home adaptations to support mobility and safety issues such as grip bars in the shower, improved task lighting and keeping rooms and hallways clear of clutter, there are other equally important issues that need to be addressed to reduce the risk of falling:
Dehydration
Poor Diet
Pre-existing health conditions
Medications
Lack of exercise
While each challenge on its own is a risk factor for falling, any combination of them - as is often the case among many seniors - considerably increase that risk.
As with anything else, a bit of planning and good communication are key. This is a good topic to use in discussion around your elderly loved ones' desire to remain independent in their own home as long as possible. The small, simple measures they can take to reduce the risk of falling will play a big role in realizing that goal.
Future posts will go into each of these issues in more detail - giving you more tips on how to help your elderly loved one reduce their risk of falling.
© Nancy Glover | Aging With Grace www.AgingwithGrace.ca
Do you need help with setting up a plan to reduce your loved ones' risk of falling?
Contact Nancy to inquire about a Caregiver Action Plan assessment where all aspects of care are reviewed in order to help families create a more dynamic and positive experience for the care of their loved ones.
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Nancy Glover, a healthy aging advocate, mentors extraordinary women and men who have stepped into the challenging role of caring for their elderly spouse or parent by managing their well-being in the later stages of life. Blending first-hand expertise with practical step by step systems to support the needs, goals, and desires of the elderly spouse or parent, Nancy helps caregivers maneuver the complex and often challenging role with supportive advocacy and resources that equally focus on everyone’s well-being. Learn more about her at www.agingwithgrace.ca and sign up to receive timely information and strategies to empower caregivers and families in transition.