Safety is a big concern for any senior who is living alone. However, as your senior parent ages, the risk of falling increases. And even a simple fall can mean broken bones, injuries, and a long period of rehabilitation. If you’re worried about your senior parent falling at home when they’re alone, elder care services are a great solution.
Elder Care Can Help Your Senior Parent Avoid Falls
In more than 50% of cases where a senior is injured by a fall, it happens in their home. It doesn’t take much for a senior to fall. They may get dizzy when they stand up and fall as a result. Or, they may not be able to bend down to clean up a spill and slip and fall.
Having elder care can help your senior parent avoid falling at home. A care provider can make sure spills are wiped up, help with cooking and other tasks, and make sure that your senior parent’s home is clean and safe for them. Caregivers can also help with household chores, so that your senior parent doesn’t need to bend, stretch, or walk all over the house.
Some of the things an elder care provider can do to help your senior parent avoid falls are:
Taking Care of Household Chores That Can Cause Falls
Many falls happen when older adults try to do everyday chores that involve bending, reaching, or carrying heavy items. A home care provider can do light cleaning and household chores so that your senior parent doesn’t have to perform movements that are physically difficult or dangerous for them. That includes taking the trash barrel to the street, doing the dishes, vacuuming, doing laundry, and cleaning floors.
Helping with Walking and Moving Safely
A home care provider can help your parent move safely from one place to another. Many falls happen during simple activities like getting out of bed, using the bathroom at night, or standing up too quickly. A trained caregiver knows how to offer steady physical support, like using a gait belt, walker, or just a steady arm. They can also watch for changes in balance or strength and alert family members or doctors if something seems off.
Keeping the Home Organized and Hazard-Free
Clutter and poor lighting are two of the biggest causes of falls at home. Home care providers help prevent these dangers by keeping pathways tidy, making sure the lights have working bulbs, and removing tripping hazards. For example, they can make sure electrical cords are tucked away, move any area rugs that could trip your senior parent, and make sure your senior parent is wearing shoes or sturdy slippers so they don’t slip while walking.
They can also organize the house in a way that makes it easy for your senior parent to access the things they need. Keeping silverware or glasses on the counter so they’re easy to reach, or making sure your parents’ reading glasses and the TV remote are always next to them.
Monitoring Health and Medications
Some falls happen because of dizziness, weakness, or side effects from medications. A home care provider can help by keeping track of medication schedules and making sure your parent takes the right dose at the right time. They can also watch for signs of confusion, balance problems, or fatigue and report them to the family or doctor.
Getting Help Fast
Hopefully, your senior parent will never need emergency help because of a fall. But if they do have a fall at home, your senior parent will be able to get the help needed fast if a care provider is with them. If you can’t be with your senior parent each day, find out more about how elder care can help your parent stay safe at home.