What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Fall Risk Reduction

Senior Home Safety | One of the greatest threats to senior well-being and quality of life is falling. In fact, falls represent the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries of Canadian seniors. Here are a few key facts to highlight not only how pervasive falls are among this age group, but the toll they take:

• Falls account for more than half of all injuries among seniors.
• Every 13 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
• 87 percent of all fractures in the elderly are due to falls. Two-thirds of those who fall will do so again within six months

In addition to the physical and financial impact, the dread associated with falling can be enough to immobilize some older adults, making them afraid to do much of anything. And for those who already experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, fear of falling can often make matters worse. But fear should never get in the way of quality of life, even when it comes to falls in the home.

Although there are several factors involved in senior falls, one of the most significant is the hazardous nature of their living environment. Obstacles such as loose rugs, poor lighting, and the absence of handrails all pose a serious threat. Fortunately, these factors can be controlled. With a few alterations and additions, seniors can manage their living environment, thus reducing their risk of falling.

Senior Home Safety Tips for Caregivers and Families

• In the Bedroom
  • Ensure that night lights are installed so that there is adequate illumination.
  • Keep an easy-to-use light source, such as a touch lamp, within reach of the bed.
• In the Bathroom
  • Install grab bars on the inside/outside of the shower, as well as next to the toilet.
  • Place a non-slip mat in the shower and on all surfaces that may become wet.
  • Install a shower chair or bath bench to reduce standing.
• In the Kitchen
  • Keep frequently used cooking utensils or appliances visible and on the counter or on nearby shelves, to reduce having to get them out of the cupboards.
  • Install non-slip rubber mats to allow for secure footing.
• In the Hallways
  • Eliminate any form of clutter (boxes, newspapers, shoes, etc.) so that pathways are clear.
  • Remove small throw rugs that may cause tripping.
  • Ensure carpeting is firmly secured to the floor.
  • Install nightlights to provide ample illumination.
• Other Considerations
  • Move any electrical cords away from walking paths.
  • Install a second handrail on staircases to allow for additional balance support.

Senior Home Safety and Other Ways to Reduce the Risk of Falling

In addition to safety precautions in the home, there are lifestyle changes that seniors can make to reduce their risk of falling. First and foremost, it’s important to stay physically active. While this may seem counterintuitive and likely to result in a fall, frequently engaging in a safe, structured regimen will increase strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. Always check with your physician before embarking on an exercise program.

Seniors should also receive regular eye examinations. Since even the smallest change in eyesight can change visibility, they must have the correct prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Finally, medications should be reviewed with a physician to evaluate side effects and their chances of contributing to falls.

Even the idea of falling is frightening to older adults and family caregivers alike. But as mentioned, this fear should not stop seniors from leading fulfilling, independent lives. Observing safety precautions in the home and making the necessary changes are important first steps in getting back on track, but there may come a time when seniors need additional support.

The Best Senior Home Care in North and West Vancouver is Comfort Keepers^®

Our senior home care agency offers in-home care focusing on aging in place. Our services include dementia care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, and palliative care. Comfort Keepers can assist seniors with living transition services, personal care, companionship care, and more! 

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Senior Care Opportunities!

Do you need a home care solution for yourself or a loved one? Have you been thinking about retirement homes and their alternatives as a solution? Comfort Keepers^® enables seniors to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes. In-home care services are available in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas.

Comfort Keepers^® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our in-home caregivers ensure our senior clients have the best quality of life. The Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures that a senior’s safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday needs are met. This program brings joy and good health to each client’s home.

Comfort Keepers^® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of a loved one we can help! Comfort Keepers offers 24-hour care and delivers top-quality and compassionate care for seniors.  We are dedicated to safety technology solutions that foster independence and enhance well-being.

Locally Owned and Operated Home Health Care Agency

Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. The seasoned in-home caregivers employed by Comfort Keepers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities.  

Contact the Comfort Keepers^® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office at (604) 998-8806 to learn more about our unique in-home care solutions for seniors.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Accreditation is a rigorous process that involves industry experts evaluating an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures. Comfort Keepers^® North and West Vancouver has been awarded Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada. This achievement recognizes that Comfort Keepers^® meets or exceeds the stringent quality standards for Home Care companies established by Accreditation Canada. 

References:

Veteran Affairs Canada. ”Fall Fact Sheet”.  Web 2018.

National Institute on Aging. “Fall-Proofing Your Home.” Web. 2018.

National Council on Aging. “18 Steps to Fall Proofing Your Home” by Scott A. Trudeau. Web. 2016.

National Council on Aging. “Fall Prevention Statistics.” Web. 2018.

WebMD. “Aging Well: Making Your Home Fall-Proof” by Healthwise Staff (Reviewed by Anne C. Poinier, MD and Elizabeth A. Phelan, MD, MS. Web. 2015.

AgingCare. “How to Prevent a Senior from Falling” Web. 2018.

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Room Safety and Alzheimer’s Disease

Keeping Seniors with Alzheimer’s Safe Room-by-Room | Ensuring that your senior loved one remains as self-sufficient as possible, and yet safe around the house, requires a delicate balance. For those caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, that challenge increases tenfold.

Caregivers providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s must be diligent about identifying potential dangers in the home. Dangers such as throw rugs, inadequate lighting, loose baseboards, and many seemingly innocent household challenges can prove to be catastrophic when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Keeping Alzheimer’s Clients Safe Room-by-Room

It may seem like a daunting task to identify all of the risks in a home and then take corrective action, but it’s easier if you address hazards room by room:

The Bedroom: 

One of the most common hazards in the bedroom is inadequate lighting. Bedroom lighting is typically low and soft for comfort. But if something as simple as reaching for the television remote control is no longer an easy thing to do, and your loved one gets up to retrieve the item, you may be risking a preventable fall. While lighting during the night keeps some people awake, a nightlight might be a lifesaver for someone with Alzheimer’s. Also, make sure bed clothing fits appropriately to prevent accidents.

Many caregivers have found creating some kind of communication system such as an intercom or bell can alleviate the risk of accidents.

The Bathroom: 

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, many people can perform basic hygiene, although someone should always remain close. To help preserve your loved one’s independence as long as possible, consider installing these devices:

1. Raised toilet seats
2. Grab or sidebars on and around the tub and toilet areas
3. Non-skid mats in the tub and a safe, non-skid floor surface

Getting in and out of the tub is often quite frightening for those with Alzheimer’s, as well as their caregivers, so consider using a stool or shower chair to reduce the apprehension and fear of falling.

Additional bathroom safety tips include:

1. 1. Remove items from the shelving.
   2. Ensure the water temperature on the house meter is no higher than 120 degrees.

The Kitchen: 

The kitchen is likely the most dangerous room in the home for anybody, but especially for those with cognitive issues.

Preventing risks in the kitchen starts with a careful evaluation of your loved one’s cognitive abilities. If it is not safe for your loved one to cook without someone supervising, then prepare meals ahead when someone can oversee the process. Keeping someone with cognitive challenges involved in those things he/she has loved doing – like cooking- is a great way to keep someone inspired and feel as though he/she is contributing. But don’t take any unnecessary risks. Cook ahead of time and store meals in microwaveable containers.

Additional Safety Tips for Seniors with Alzheimer’s

If your loved one’s condition worsens, you may have to take greater control by removing metal cans that might accidentally get microwaved, and disabling appliances—not just in the kitchen but throughout the home—when you are not there. Keep surfaces clear of items and appliances such as crockpots and toasters (and hair dryers in the bath).

If your loved one is still relatively self-sufficient in the kitchen, use labels to describe individual items or the contents of drawers and cupboards. To help ease embarrassment during a meal, use brightly colored plates, cups, flatware, and napkins, which are easier to identify. If your loved one is confused about the proper utensils he/she may refuse to eat, and that may be mistaken as a symptom of something else. So make it as easy as possible and be there to lend a helping hand.

Keeping Alzheimer’s Clients Safe Room-by-Room: Identity Zones

 This zone concept is presented in an article titled “A Guide to Safe Guarding Your Home For Alzheimer’s Patients,” written by Carole B. Larkin for AlzheimersReadingRoom.com. She recommends first identifying Danger Zones are areas that are completely off-limits to your loved one.

Danger zones include:

• garages
• basements
• attics
• hobby room
• computer rooms
• kitchens (as the disease progresses)
• doorways leading to the outside.

PLEASE NOTE: Take special care addressing safety in these rooms using locks and/or removing all dangerous equipment, chemicals, and other sharp objects.

Keeping Alzheimer’s Clients Safe Room-by-Room: The Zones

Respite Zones represent caregiver sanctuaries. Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s is mentally and physically exhausting. If you, as a caregiver, don’t take breaks you are putting yourself and your loved one in danger. You need to remain as alert and rested as possible.

Safe Zones represent sanctuaries for your loved one. While it’s advantageous to safe-proof a room whenever possible versus making it off-limits, managing symptoms is easier when those with Alzheimer’s have areas to roam safely. These zones should be kept clear of anything that could agitate your loved one.

Keeping Alzheimer’s Clients Safe Room-by-Room – Tech Devices May Help

Additional items that you might incorporate into your Alzheimer’s safety plan can be found online or in retail stores. These include medic alert systems, sensory alarms, stand-alone and other types of motion sensors, medication alert instruments, and gel-top trays that are restraint-free. Before purchasing these items, ask friends and physicians for advice.

Keeping Alzheimer’s Clients Safe Room-by-Room: One Last Look

Before you consider your safety plan finished, take one last look throughout the house for dangerous items you overlooked.

1. Doorways that are located near stairs should be locked.
2. Throw rugs should be eliminated or tacked down.
3. All medications should be kept in a safe, locked box.
4. Any financial information and cheque books should be kept out of reach.

The Best Senior Home Care in North and West Vancouver is Comfort Keepers^®

Our senior home care agency offers in-home care focusing on aging in place. Our services include dementia care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, and palliative care. Comfort Keepers can assist seniors with living transition services, personal care, companionship care, and more! 

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Senior Care Opportunities!

Do you need a home care solution for yourself or a loved one? Have you been thinking about retirement homes and their alternatives as a solution? Comfort Keepers^® enables seniors to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes. In-home care services are available in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas.

Comfort Keepers^® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our in-home caregivers ensure our senior clients have the best quality of life. The Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures that a senior’s safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday needs are met. This program brings joy and good health to each client’s home.

Comfort Keepers^® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of a loved one we can help! Comfort Keepers offers 24-hour care and delivers top-quality and compassionate care for seniors.  We are dedicated to safety technology solutions that foster independence and enhance well-being.

Locally Owned and Operated Home Health Care Agency

Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. The seasoned in-home caregivers employed by Comfort Keepers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities.  

Contact the Comfort Keepers^® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office at (604) 998-8806 to learn more about our unique in-home care solutions for seniors.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Accreditation is a rigorous process that involves industry experts evaluating an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures. Comfort Keepers^® North and West Vancouver has been awarded Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada. This achievement recognizes that Comfort Keepers^® meets or exceeds the stringent quality standards for Home Care companies established by Accreditation Canada.

REFERENCES

www.store.best-alzheimers-products.com

The Alzheimer’s Family Center Inc.

The editors of www.agingcare.com

The editors of www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com e-Learning Course, Class 5: safety

www.MayoClinic.com

The MedicAlert Foundation

“A Guide to Safe Guarding Your Home For Alzheimer’s Patients,” by Carole B. Larkin for www.AlzheimersReadingRoom.com