As we age, staying safe at home becomes increasingly important in order to maintain both our physical health and our independence. For seniors, one of the most common and potentially dangerous accidents is simply falling. Fortunately, there are proactive measures that can be taken to minimize the risks and manage falls in a way that reduces potential harm.
At All Seasons Homecare, we believe it’s important to educate our clients and their families. Today we’ll take a look at essential tips for protecting yourself during a fall and discuss how home care services can help create a safer environment for seniors.
Preventing Falls with Home Care Services
While knowing how to handle a fall is important, preventing one in the first place is even better. This is where professional support, like All Seasons Homecare in Walnut Creek, can play a pivotal role. Our care staff is trained to educate seniors about falls, help them create a safer environment in their homes, and teach them how to strengthen their muscles and improve balance to prevent falls and injuries. Specifically, our staff is adept at helping our seniors with:
- Mobility – Improving Strength and Balance: Many seniors benefit from exercises that are customized to enhance their strength and coordination. Our professional caregivers at All Seasons Homecare offer Pleasant Hill senior services and can assist with simple, supervised physical activities designed to reduce the likelihood of falls. By focusing on assisting our seniors with mobility, All Seasons Homecare can help facilitate a more active daily schedule for your loved ones.
- Fall Risk Assessments: Our trained care managers can evaluate the home environment for hazards such as loose rugs, poor lighting, and clutter. By identifying and eliminating these risks, they can make it less likely for seniors to trip or lose their balance.
- Home Modifications for Safety: Sometimes all it takes are small adjustments to have a big impact on senior safety at home. For instance you can consider:
- Installing grab bars in bathrooms.
- Securing rugs with non-slip pads.
- Adding railings to staircases.
- Using non-slip mats in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Ask for Safety Tips: When you’re searching for providers offering “home health care near me” know that our care management staff can recommend effective safety equipment and upgrades.
- Daily Assistance and Supervision: Seniors who are living alone are often at higher risk of falling and not having immediate help available which can increase anxiety and even the chance of physical injury. Each of our friendly and experienced home care providers can assist with daily tasks, provide companionship, mobility assistance, and provide peace of mind by making sure to be nearby in case of emergencies.
What to Do If You Feel Yourself Starting to Fall
While preventing falls is obviously ideal, knowing how to react during one is equally important so that you can protect yourself should an accident occur. If you feel yourself losing balance you should:
- Stay Calm and Try to Protect Your Head:
Avoid panicking as much as possible and focus on protecting the most vulnerable parts of your body like your head and face. Use your arms to shield your head and try to land on softer body parts, such as your thighs or buttocks. It’s also extremely important to resist the urge to catch yourself by extending your hands as this can easily result in injuries like hyperextension or even broken wrists. - Bend Your Knees and Roll:
If you are able to control your fall, bend your knees to lower your center of gravity and reduce the impact. Rolling in the direction you are naturally falling can also distribute the force and prevent more severe injuries. - Call for Help:
After a fall, stay calm and assess your condition. If you find that you are injured or unable to get up, call for help immediately. Keeping a medical alert device or cellular phone close at hand can make an enormous difference. - Use the “Roll and Rise” Method to Get Up Safely:
If you are unhurt and feel you can get up follow these steps:- Roll onto your side and push yourself onto your hands and knees.
- Crawl to a sturdy piece of furniture, like a chair.
- Use your hands to support yourself as you rise slowly.
- Sit down to regain your composure, and take a few deep breaths before standing fully.
- When you do stand, make sure your balance feels stable.
Call Us and Let All Seasons Home Care Help!
At All Seasons Home Care, we are all-too familiar with the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment for seniors, and what can happen when that’s not the case. With our personalized care plans, our trained caregivers work to reduce fall risks while encouraging your family member’s independence in their own home.
If you’re seeking home care in Walnut Creek, need Pleasant Hill senior services, or are looking for caregivers in the surrounding Bay Area, our compassionate team is here to help. Choose All Seasons Home Care by calling (925) 363-4900, and get peace of mind.