Fall prevention is a critical concern for seniors, as even what seems like a slight fall to begin with can end up having a very detrimental impact on someone’s health. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury among adults aged 65 years and older. One in four older adults reports falling each year, creating a range of both short-term and long-term potential health consequences. Here at Paragon Assisted Living, we are committed to the safety and well-being of all of our residents. Keep reading to discover some of our top fall prevention tips for seniors in assisted living.
Understanding the Risks of Falls
There are many common causes of falls in seniors, some of which we have more control over than others. Mobility issues as we get older, poor vision, and side effects of medications are reasons we often see for an increase in falls. Another issue is clutter in homes and living spaces, which can create trip hazards and result in injuries. Assisted living communities must prioritize fall prevention as falls are one of the most common types of injury within the older adult population. Still, a little more care and attention can help prevent these injuries. Falls have both an emotional and physical impact on seniors and families, leaving individuals scared to perform everyday activities in case they hurt themselves again in the future.
Environmental Safety Measures in Assisted Living
Well-lit hallways and common areas are crucial in preventing falls in assisted living facilities. Adding grab bars, handrails, and non-slip flooring are simple changes you can make that will help to prevent falls, slips, and trips. It’s essential to assess your current room organization. By minimizing clutter and keeping walkways clear, you can help prevent falls and ensure safe pathways. The most effective way to avoid long-term issues is to prioritize regular safety inspections and maintenance. This priority helps prevent problems from piling up, which could lead to long-term challenges that are harder to resolve.
Health & Wellness Strategies
While environmental factors often contribute to an increase in falls within older adults, seniors usually have various medical and physical health concerns, which put them at greater risk of falls and slips. Physical exercise plays a critical role in preventing falls, but this is something older adults often neglect in favor of a more sedentary lifestyle. Regular gentle exercise, such as walking and yoga, can help to improve strength and balance. Should you find that you trip or fall in the future, you are more likely to be able to recover yourself without any significant injury.
We encourage older adults to book regular vision and hearing check-ups to also help with fall prevention and support their overall health and well-being. It’s better to notice an issue earlier on and take corrective action than to leave vision or hearing issues to worsen over time. If you find that your medication is giving you side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness, it’s essential to find a way to manage this so that you don’t increase your risk of falling. Finally, proper footwear and mobility aids are crucial for helping seniors to get out and about without the fear of falling.
Staff Support & Monitoring
Here at Paragon Assisted Living, our trained caregivers can help with fall prevention. They have many years of experience working with older adults and know the most common reasons for slips, trips, and falls. Our staff can monitor individuals who appear to be at greater risk of falls and support them in getting around or performing tasks that increase their chances of falling over. A quick response system within assisted living is critical to report a fall. Without this type of system in place, a resident may end up unable to help themselves back up, or they could exacerbate an injury even further.
When someone first moves into an assisted living facility, our team will help create a personalized care plan. Part of these initial conversations will involve assessing individual fall risk and discussing any mobility concerns. These discussions help ensure everyone is on the same page about when assistance may be needed to prevent trips and falls.
Resident & Family Involvement
Families play a key role in supporting fall prevention. Regular visits provide your loved one with more support, and you can also communicate with staff about any concerns you have about your loved one. Family members also help to provide safe personal items and tools to support mobility and can ensure that the environment in which their loved one is living is kept tidy and secure at all times. At Paragon Assisted Living, we offer resident education programs to raise awareness of safety practices. These resources share essential information to support your loved one and enable us to address any questions they may have about fall prevention. A collaborative effort that encourages everyone to get involved helps to promote a culture of safety and improve the quality of life for older adults living with us.
Proactive fall prevention is critical in assisted living and ensures that older adults can still get around and enjoy their everyday lives without the worry of slipping or falling. Here at Paragon Assisted Living, we are dedicated to the safety, health, and peace of mind of our residents and have various programs in place to support everyone during this time in their lives. Our team will be on hand at any time to answer questions residents and families have about fall prevention. We work to create a personalized care plan for new residents, which allows us to offer individuals the care and attention they need based on their unique concerns.
Contact our team at Paragon Assisted Living today to schedule a tour of our facilities or to learn more about the safety programs we offer at Paragon.
