Fall Prevention and Care in Senior Living Communities
Our chances of falling increase as we age, and so does the risk of injuring ourselves. If you or someone you know has had an incident like this happen, then you know how important it is to prioritize fall prevention. Here are some easy steps to prevent falling and how to care for yourself afterward, so you can continue to maintain your level of independence.
6 Tips for Fall Prevention
- Remove Obstacles: Walk through your home and remove anything that could be a hazard, such as throw rugs, cords, baskets, or plant stands. Assess your furniture pieces to make sure they are placed in ways that don’t obstruct walking paths.
- Turn on Lights: Keep lights on in dimly lit areas or use night lights with sensors. Place flashlights in convenient locations in the event of a power outage, and keep a lamp on your nightstand. If you’re concerned about the expense of leaving lights on, consider investing in energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- Choose the Right Shoes: Your favorite slippers may be comfortable, but slip-on shoes could cause more harm than good in the event of a fall. Wear shoes with non-skid soles that offer your foot support, and opt for an insert if you need added arch or heel support.
- Try At-home Balance Exercises: Keeping steady on your feet is an excellent way to stay in shape and prevent falling. There are several simple balance exercises you can do at home to improve your balance.
- Take a Walk: Staying physically active is a great approach to fall prevention. A daily walk around your block, neighborhood, or local walking paths will strengthen your legs and increase your endurance. Consider walking around the mall during the winter months.
- Call Your Physician: If you take prescription medications, consult your physician about possible side effects that can cause loss of balance. If you’ve experienced changes in your physical abilities, inquire about therapy services that can address your mobility and balance.
What to do After a Fall
In the unfortunate event that you do have a fall and no one is around, there are some steps you can take afterward to ensure the best possible care for yourself:
- Stay calm, take deep breaths, and examine yourself for injuries. If you are injured or unable to get up, alert someone and keep calm while you await their help.
- If you haven’t injured yourself or broken any bones, identify the nearest piece of sturdy furniture, like a chair.
- Slowly roll on your side to get on your hands and knees, then crawl or pull yourself to the identified furniture.
- Right yourself up into a kneeling position, place your hands on the stable part of the furniture, bring your strongest leg to a kneeling lunge, and push yourself up into a sitting position on the furniture.
- Stay seated until you can confidently move again without falling or injury, then notify your doctor you’ve had a fall and keep your eye out for any pain or signs of injury.
The Benefits of a Senior Living Community
There’s a myth that once you move into a senior living community that you’ll lose your independence, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Senior living communities ensure residents maintain as much of their independence as possible through every stage of life, with the aid of:
- Enhanced safety features, such as handrails, non-slip flooring, and adequate lighting
- Compliance with state and federal regulations to maintain robust fall prevention programs and a safe environment
- Balance tools, equipment, and technology like VirtuSense to detect your likelihood of falling
- Skilled Nursing and outpatient therapy to support you in the event of a fall
At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.