Preventing falls during pandemic
Dear Savvy Senior: My 80-yearold mother, who lives alone and is self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic, has fallen several times. Are there any extra precautions you recommend that can help prevent this? — Concerned Daughter
Dear Concerned: Falls are a common concern for many elderly people and their families, especially while many seniors are sheltering at home alone. Each year, more than 1 in 4 older Americans fall, making it the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for those 65 and older. But many falls can be prevented. Here are some tips that can help prevent it:
■ Encourage exercise: Weak leg muscles and poor balance are two of the biggest risk factors for falling. Walking, strength training and tai chi are all good for improving balance and strength. For additional balance and leg strengthening exercises, see Agebold.com.
■ Review her medications: Does your mom take any medicine, or a combination of medicines, that makes her dizzy, sleepy or lightheaded? If so, make a list or gather all the drugs she takes and contact her doctor or pharmacist for a drug review and adjustment.
■ Get a vision test: Poor vision can be another contributor to falls. Your mom should get her eyes checked once a year and be sure to update her glasses if needed. Also, be aware that if she wears bifocal or progressive lenses, they can cause falls, especially when walking outside or going down steps. These lenses can affect depth perception, so she may want to get a pair of glasses with only her distance prescription for outdoor activities.
■ Fall-proof her home: Some simple household modifications will make your mom’s living area safer. Start by helping her arrange or move furniture to make clear pathways, and pick up items on the floor that could cause her to trip. If she has throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them.
For the bathroom, buy nonskid rugs for floors and a rubber suction-grip mat or adhesive, nonskid tape for the floor of the tub or shower, and have a carpenter install grab bars in and around the tub/shower for support.
Throughout her home, make sure lighting is good, and place some inexpensive plug-in nightlights in bathrooms and hallways. Install handrails on stairs. For more tips, see the National Institute on Aging’s “fall-proofing your home” webpage at Nia.nih.gov/health/fall-proofing-your-home.
■ Choose safe footwear: Going barefoot or wearing slippers or socks can also cause falls, as can wearing backless shoes, high heels and shoes with smooth leather soles. The safest option for your mom is rubber-sole, low-heel shoes.
■ Purchase some helpful aids: Think about a cane or walker. And to help ensure your mom’s safety, consider getting her a medical alert device that comes with a wearable emergency button that would allow her to call for help if she were to fall or need assistance.