Now, every step is a carefully calculated moment. If you or someone you love has experienced a fall, you know how serious it can become. Afterwards, a challenging recovery causes you to rethink every step, carefully scanning the area for “threats” that may offset balance and cause another accident.

Recurrent falls in elderly adults are a serious health care concern. In fact, more than 1 in 4 people 65 and older fall every year.  But there is hope: Our home health services can actually help reduce the risk of another fall occurring. We’ll examine how and provide useful tips for doing all that you can to prevent another stumble.

At 3HC, you can rest assured that our home health services take a proactive approach to fall prevention, providing you and your loved ones with confidence and peace of mind. We understand that it is difficult for many seniors to travel to get medical care, so we utilize the latest medical technology to provide expert care in your home. If you’re interested in learning more about our home health services and how you qualify, simply contact us.

How Does Home Health Care Help Prevent Falls in Elderly Adults?

Home health care at 3HC offers convenient access to extensive services for those unable to leave the home. We understand the value of these services because they are crucial to help prevent recurrent falls in the elderly. 

Therefore, we offer the following:

• Personalized fall risk assessments: These identify individual risk factors and develop comprehensive health care plans to minimize the chance of falls.
• Evaluating safety modifications: We check your house to be sure you have items like grab bars and shower/bath chairs. We also provide recommendations for other home modifications, as well as suggestions on how to make your home safer.
• Training for caregivers: It’s difficult and stressful when your loved one is at risk for a fall. We’ll show you how to safely help your loved one maneuver and use assistive devices.
• Physical therapy: This is one of the most critical aspects of fall prevention in the elderly. These exercises not only enhance strength, but they also improve balance and coordination. 

Why Do Recurrent Falls Happen in Older Adults?

There are many reasons for recurrent falls in the elderly, and there are also practical methods of fall prevention in older adults.

Seniors often have weaker muscles and issues related to balance. These naturally occur with age. Difficulty with hearing and vision compounds the problem to make it worse. 

In addition, many have chronic health conditions such as arthritis or even more serious illnesses like Parkinson’s disease.

Other reasons include:

• Medications (these may cause drowsiness or dizziness)
• Loss of muscle mass (called sarcopenia)
• Dementia
• Hypotension (low blood pressure that can occur when rising from a sitting or lying position)
• Foot problems, especially those caused by diabetes
• Clutter (rugs, cluttered living rooms, slippery floors)

How Can I Make My Loved One Less Likely to Experience a Fall at Home?

There are several precautions you can take to help ensure your safety or the safety of one you love. These include:

Decluttering Your Home

Throw rugs, furniture and other objects can create tripping hazards, so be sure there’s a clear pathway throughout your home. 

Improving Lighting

Does your home have overhead lights, or do you depend upon lamps on side tables? The overarching question is: Do these provide enough light to see clearly? This is particularly important on stairways. Remember, we noted that seniors often have trouble with declining eyesight, so a well-lit area is even more important.

Helping Your Loved One Be Proactive

There are some things your loved one can do that will help their balance and, as a result, decrease the likelihood they will have a recurrent fall. These vital elements of fall prevention in older adults include:

• Regular exercise — Particularly balance activities like tai chi
• Appropriate footwear – Non-slip shoes are a must
• Medication effects – Make sure you understand the potential side effects of any prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines your loved one takes.

3HC Home Health Can Help Reduce the Chances of a Serious Fall

At 3HC, we treat you like members of our own family, and a part of that is guarding the safety of those you love. Our home health services encompass not only help with the activities of daily living, but they also provide seamless communication between health care professionals involved in your care.

Interested in our home health services? Have you or your loved one experienced a fall and need physical therapy? We invite you to contact us to learn more.