If you are the caregiver of a senior still living alone in her home, one of your biggest fears might be falls when you aren’t there. Falls can lead to injuries, emergency room visits, and even death. It is one of the main concerns many caregivers and their elderly loved ones have. The good news is that you and in-home care providers can reduce the risk of falls by thoroughly inspecting your loved one’s home to eliminate or minimize fall risks.
Reducing the Risks of Falls From the Floor Up
The best place to start reviewing for safety concerns is the floor. Here are five areas to review, and if you or in-home care providers see problems, take immediate steps to fix them.
Loose Rugs
Throw rugs add personality to rooms and often catch dirt at the door as guests walk in. However, as people age, corners can easily turn up, catching a loved one’s foot as she walks across it. Many elderly people have a difficult time lifting their feet while walking, making even the slightest uneven flooring a tripping hazard.
If possible, eliminate rugs or purchase some tacky material to make sure those corners and edges are tacked down flat.
Bumps and Cracks in the Floor
As homes age, floors often become uneven or warped, making what seems like a slight ridge or rise in the floor. However, if your loved one is not careful, that slight elevation change could cause her to stumble and fall. Seek the help of a professional flooring expert to help those floors be level again.
Cords
In summer, fans may stretch their cords across the floor as your loved one tries to say cool, or laptops may dangle cords from the kitchen table to the walls. While normally easy to spot, these loose cords in unexpected areas can easily tangle up in your loved one’s feet, causing her to trip. Keep items as close to outlets as possible, and never run a cord across a walking path.
Shoes and Other Footwear
Tripping often occurs right by the main entrance to the house because that’s where everyone takes off their shoes or boots and leaves them in piles along with other items like grocery bags, umbrellas, etc. Even when tucked against the wall, these items can create a tripping hazard for your loved one. Consider adding shelving and cubby holes for items that need to stay by the door so that they are easily tucked away and not tripped over.
Misc Random Items
Routinely look at all of the floors to see where items are lying out, just waiting to trip up the next pair of feet, and then put them in their proper spots. This should be a part of daily cleaning habits.
An In-Home Care Provider Can Help Reduce Fall Risks
Having an in-home care provider is a great way to make sure your loved one doesn’t trip and fall when you’re not there. They can help with chores that make it difficult for your loved one to see her feet while she’s walking (like carrying in groceries). An in-home care provider can also help your loved one stay on top of keeping those floors clear of any tripping hazards.
Finally, an in-home care provider can help your loved one navigate any areas that are naturally tricky and be a trusted source of support when needed.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Colorado Springs, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, today. Call (719) 639-2663
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cimarron Hills, Fort Carson, Gleneagle, Larkspur, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Perry Park, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, and Woodmoor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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