Has your mom or dad had another fall? Or perhaps an elderly relative is back in hospital after falling at home? Falls in the elderly are all too common and can make their lives much harder, not just from the injuries sustained but the looming fear of falling. Before you know it, you may find your elderly loved one less able and less willing to get out of the house. What can you do to help?
There are lots of ways. Here are our top six tips:
Encourage going for walks
As we get older our muscles tend to get weaker. In the elderly this can make simple tasks, such as getting up from a chair, more difficult. It also makes falls more likely as they are less able to quickly adjust their body weight to prevent themselves from falling. Daily exercise can go a long way to improving muscle strength.
Buy some good shoes
Foot care is important when it comes to balance, which is why comfortable, well-fitting shoes with good grips are essential.
Get them signed up to yoga classes
Or help them get into doing yoga at home. Yoga is well known to improve mobility and balance in everyone, including the elderly.
Get their vision checked
Poor vision makes it harder to avoid bumping into corners and edges, not to mention tripping over things. Taking your elderly loved one to get their eyes checked can ensure they get the treatment they need. This could be as simple as a new glasses prescription or could involve medication if other visual problems are detected.
Talk to their doctor
Old age can bring various health problems, such as low blood pressure and dementia, both of which can cause dizziness. Learning to manage these conditions can keep dizzy spells to a minimum. A doctor can provide advice on medication and other helpful information on how to cope.
‘Fall proof’ the house
Get rid of trip hazards, such as rugs or mats and unnecessary clutter. Also, install grab bars in the bathroom and along corridors and ensure the house is well lit.
Get their hearing and balance tested
Age-related hearing and balance loss is one of the biggest causes of falls in the elderly. Getting a comprehensive hearing and balance test is the best way to find out the potential cause of dizziness in your elderly loved one and treat it. Treatment can include getting fitted with hearing aids and/or medication.
At Beltone Hearing, we welcome all the family, especially those entering their golden years, to come in for a hearing and balance test. With the hearing health of your elderly loved one taken care of, there’s one less reason to worry about them falling.
