There are so many possible contributing factors to falls for aging adults. Three of the biggest ones can have a huge impact on your senior’s overall risk of falling. Lowering that risk as much as possible is crucial, for her own safety. If you’re not sure how these factors affect your senior’s situation directly, make an appointment with her doctor to ensure that you’re clear about what situations affect her. That will help you to make a plan going forward.
Cardiac Issues
Cardiovascular health encompasses more of your senior’s overall health than you might believe. It deals with not just your senior’s heart, but also her lungs and her blood pressure. All of these can contribute to situations like being unsteady on her feet, feeling lightheaded, and being more likely to fall. Keeping your senior’s cardiovascular system as healthy as possible can help to reduce some of this risk, but not all. Talk with your senior’s doctor about what can be controlled and what can’t.
Vision Loss
If your elderly family member isn’t able to see what’s happening around her clearly, she’s less likely to be able to avoid those obstacles in her way. Your elderly family member might have difficulty discerning shadows from the edges of objects, for instance, which can create big problems. Some vision loss can be alleviated a little bit by increasing the lighting around your senior’s home. Other types of vision loss are more difficult to work around and your senior may require additional help.
Medication Side Effects
Medication side effects are a big contributing factor when it comes to your senior’s ability to avoid a fall. Some medications can make her feel lightheaded, drowsy, or dizzy, all of which can contribute to a bad fall. Talk to your senior’s doctor about the medications that she’s taking and what the side effects are. It’s also important to know which medications amplify the side effects of other medications. This may mean that some of her medications need to be adjusted. This is especially important if your elderly family member drinks alcoholic drinks, even once in a while.
One of the ways that you can help your elderly family member to lower her fall risk is to hire home care providers to help her. They can assist with mobility and make sure that your senior has everything that she needs to be safe and healthy at home.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HOME CARE IN SUMMERLIN. NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.
