Fall prevention tips for older adults

Today, most Canadian seniors are choosing to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. This allows them to maintain independence and stay engaged in their normal daily activities with friends, family and their local community. But it may also make them more vulnerable, especially for falls, which is one of the leading health risks for aging adults.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to avoid such accidents, or minimize harm, if a fall does occur:

Evaluate the risk. It’s important to assess a senior’s risk for falls, especially within their own home. Creating a tripfree environment with clear and well-lit pathways, using non-slip mats or rugs, and installing safety grab bars in bathrooms can all help prevent falls from happening in the first place.

Stay active. Staying active can also help reduce accidents. Going on walks with friends, swimming and attending fitness classes at local community centres can all help strengthen muscles and improve balance. Plus, exercise reduces inflammation and boosts the immune system to help prevent illness and even facilitate quicker recovery from injury.

Be prepared. Falls do happen, so it’s important to plan for unexpected medical emergencies. Consider an automatic medical alert system, which instantly connects seniors to trained operators who can alert emergency support services and family contacts. The device provides peace of mind to seniors and their loved ones, knowing that help is available at the push of a button.

Find more information on fall prevention, and how you can help older loved ones stay independent and safe, at fallpreventionmonth.ca.

(www.newscanada.com)