In Malaysia, there is between 15% to 28% prevalence of falls on the elderly among community dwelling. The topic of fall prevention must be emphasized in order to protect our beloved senior. If you love your ageing parent or grandparent, please learn the knowledge regarding fall prevention so that they are safe at any time.
The more the risk factors will make higher chances to fall in a person. Below are the several common factors that cause falling in the elderly:
1. Medical condition
The medical condition can be one of the factors that lead to a fall in the elderly. Most of the elderly have at least one chronic condition such as diabetes, stroke, or hypertension. It makes them lost function, inactivity or pain that increases the risk of falling. In addition, some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness or dizziness which lead to a fall. Furthermore, some elderly may have a vision problem that makes them harder to see tripping hazards and obstacles.
2. Environment
Not everyone’s home is tidy. Even if there is no medical condition on your beloved senior or you, a messy home may increase the risk of falling due to obstacles somewhere. The slippery tiles in the home can be a high risk for the elderly at any time. Not only that, other environmental factors such as inclement weather can also cause a fall in the home. For example, a rainstorm leads the roof to leak water onto a floor, the elderly would slip-on that floor accidentally.
3. Clothing and shoes
The tight and loose clothing may lead to a fall on the elderly. For example, tight clothing can influence their blood flow and make them lose mental capacity in the short term. On the other side, clothing too loose can increase the risk of falling because it may catch on surrounding things or accidentally catch a step on their clothing, eventually causing a fall. Shoes with slippery soles or loose-fitting can also cause a fall in the elderly.
The effects of falling in the elderly:
Bone fractures on arm, ankle, or hip.
A head or brain injury caused by hitting their head. If it’s serious, it is going to brain concussion or even death.
A fear of falling on the patients, causing them to reduce activities in their everyday life. It will make them less active and become weaker, their chances of falling will increase as well.
How to prevent the elderly from fall at home?
1. Seek advice from a doctor
The elderly can get evaluated by the doctor about the risk of falling and what activity they can and can’t do to keep safe. You can confirm with the doctor whether the medicine they consume will cause dizzy or sleepy on them to prevent falling. Also, they should have eyes checked regularly to ensure that their eyeglasses are updated.
2. Tidy up your home
You should clean up your home by removing obstacles or putting them in the right place, including newspaper, cloth or other things that may cause a fall, especially from hallways and staircases. In addition, you should put the necessary things such as food, tableware, or newspaper in a place that can be easily taken by the elderly.
3. Install assistive devices
Not only the crutch can prevent falling and keep steady on their feet, but the assistive devices in the home can also help to do it so. For example, you can install the grab bars by toilets and handrails in stairways so that they are able to hold on when walking at home. It will make their life easier.
4. Light up the place you live
You should make sure that the light is sufficient throughout the house especially at the night. The light can help the elderly to see clearly and prevent a fall when they walk at home. For example, you should install brighter light bulbs in stairways and hallways.
5. Avoid a slip
Slippery things such as shoes with slippery soles and slippery mats should be avoided by the elderly. You can use rubber mats in the shower or bathtub and take up it when you don’t need them. In order to prevent falling when showering, you can also put a bath seat in the shower room.
6. Don't wear loose clothing
Although wearing loose clothing can make them feel comfortable at home, it can also increase the chance of falling as well. They should wear better-fitting and properly hemmed clothing that will not drag on the ground. Not only for clothing but wearing footwear should be also in proper fitting for stability.
7. Do balance exercise
The elderly can prevent falling by doing exercise to make their legs stronger and enhance their balance. For example, they can try Tai Chi which is a form of movement training to improve their balance and stability and thus reduce the chance of falling.
8. Nursing home & caregiver
The nursing home and caregiver is suitable for those who are busy at work and unable to take care of their loved ones on a daily basis. The nurse in a nursing home or caregiver will accompany and take care of your parents or grandparents, such as helping them to walk for preventing falls.
For more information regarding nursing homes and caregivers, please visit our website, https://www.mintygreen-wellness.com/.