Aging is a brand new experience for everyone, which is why it can take a little time to adapt to limitations in mobility and agility. While everyone wants to stay independent as long as possible, needing reasonable accommodations to keep safe in your home isn’t out of the ordinary. Older individuals are at a higher risk of falling. They can suffer severe injuries from a fall, including broken bones, leading to a hospital stay and time in rehab or assisted living.
The best way to deal with falls is to avoid them entirely. Scottsdale doctors offer these recommendations to reduce elderly fall risks at home and help seniors maintain their independence for longer.
It might seem counterintuitive to move more to avoid falls, but gentle exercise provides essential benefits such as:
Your daily activity can be as moderate as taking a daily walk, taking aquatic exercise classes, or developing a yoga practice. Staying active doesn’t just help with fall prevention; it’s good for physical and mental health. Joining a Silver Sneakers program can add social benefits with an opportunity to meet new friends.
Your comfortable house shoes or slippers may be a hazard for future falls. Slippery soles, loose-fitting footwear, and even stocking feet can contribute to slips and falls that can cause serious injury.
Sturdy shoes with non-slip soles––even in the home––will help keep you on solid ground. Wearing shoes with support while you’re doing chores around the house can also help with back and joint pain.
Every home has dark corners, but poorly lit hallways and staircases are hazardous for seniors with declining vision. Taking a few extra precautions with lighting your home can keep you living independently for longer.
Besides lighting hallways and stairways, be sure to make lights easily accessible next to the bed for nighttime bathroom trips. Keep flashlights with batteries at the ready in case of a power outage.
Hazards may fill your home that you’ve become used to over the years. For older individuals, tripping on a rug can have serious consequences. Making your home easier to navigate with daily household items close at hand makes living at home during retirement less stressful and more comfortable.
Helpful tools such as grab bars and railings, stair treads, and a raised seat for your toilet make day-to-day life more manageable and comfortable.
A Scottsdale doctor can identify potential hazards and mitigate risks for seniors nervous about falls in the home. They’ll also go over your current medications and health conditions. Side effects from either illness or prescriptions, such as dizziness or muscle weakness, could put you at more significant risk for a fall.
A doctor can help you develop a prevention plan that keeps you feeling safe in your home.
Our Scottsdale doctors have years of experience working with geriatric patients to ensure they get the care they need in a home-like environment. We provide a range of services throughout the Phoenix area, including planning senior care to improve our patients’ quality of life while maintaining independence.
The Sage Medical team takes pride in building relationships with our patients, so we’re happy to act as a primary care physician for your aging loved one. We also understand the complexities of the healthcare system and coordinate with other providers with referrals as needed.
Get healthcare that focuses on wellness, independence, and quality of life with Sage Medical. Contact our Scottsdale doctors to learn more.
