Preventing Senior Falls

Vancouver Senior Home Care  |  October 12, 2021

What Every Senior and Caregiver in Vancouver, BC Needs to Know About Fall Prevention

Preventing Senior Falls | Falls present one of the most common health risks for older adults, leading to thousands of long-term hospitalizations in Canada every year. While something like falling may be relatively harmless for younger adults, for any senior over 65, it can be a devastating event, both physically and financially.

Why Are Seniors More Prone to Falls?

The risk of sustaining a serious injury by falling gets increasingly higher as people age. There are many reasons for this, the most common ones being:

• Biological changes associated with aging such as muscle weakness, poor vision, osteoporosis, balance and mobility issues, or other physical limitations
• Prescribed medications that cause side effects, affecting agility and gait
• Inadequate or poor diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Alcohol abuse

In addition to this, habits and behavior also play a major role when it comes to senior falls. The thing is that most older adults feel confident about performing certain strenuous activities that they often put themselves in risky situations such as climbing the ladder, pruning trees, mowing grass, or shoveling snow – and this is how many falls happen.

Then there are environmental factors that can make a senior’s home more hazardous. These include poor lighting, uneven flooring, loose carpets and cords, and a lack of handrails in key areas such as the staircase or the bathroom.

How Can Seniors and Caregivers Prevent Falls?

In most cases, fall risks can be significantly reduced when families simply take the time to make certain home modifications and remind their elderly loved ones what to look out for in their surroundings to avoid falling. As a family caregiver, you might want to take the initiative and assess your loved one’s current physical agility and lifestyle.

To prevent falls, encourage your mom or dad to introduce certain changes into their daily routine such as:

• Adopting a senior-friendly exercise regimen that focuses on improving mobility and balance
• Eating a healthy diet and staying well-hydrated throughout the day
• Reviewing medications with a healthcare professional to identify those that cause dizziness or blurred senses
• Reducing or completely avoiding alcohol consumption
• Using assistive devices like canes or walkers

On top of that, make sure to thoroughly inspect your loved one’s home and eliminate potential fall hazards such as clutter, loose cords, or uneven floorboards. Another great idea is to install grab bars in the bathroom and throw in additional light fixtures throughout the house.

Comfort Keepers® is the Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC

When it comes to arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, Comfort Keepers is the preferred choice for many families. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care, End of Life Care, Respite Care, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Comfort Keepers®’s trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Vancouver office.

Comfort Keepers® Brings You The Best Home Care Assistance Right Where You Live.

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide home care throughout Vancouver that keeps seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond please call (604) 689-8609. 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

Share This Post: