The likelihood of falling increases with age, as age-related physical changes often contribute to a higher risk. Falls are one of the leading causes of accidental injuries among seniors and can result in serious complications, including hospitalization.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Every 11 seconds, a senior is treated in an emergency room due to a fall-related injury.
- Every 19 minutes, a senior dies from a fall.
- Each year, 2.8 million fall-related injuries are treated in emergency departments, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths among seniors.
- As the population ages, the financial impact of senior falls is projected to rise, reaching $67.7 billion by 2020.
Why Falls Happen in Older Adults
With these facts in mind, fall prevention should be a priority in in-home care services. Understanding the common causes of falls among seniors can help guide the precautionary measures needed to reduce the risk. Some of the most common causes include:
- Physical changes: such as hearing loss, poor vision, muscle weakness, and slower reflexes
- Health conditions: including heart disease, diabetes, or issues affecting blood vessels, nerves, feet, or thyroid
- Environmental factors: like poorly lit areas, stairs, or recently polished or wet floors
Fall Prevention Tips
You can help reduce the risk of falls for your senior loved ones by following these Fall Prevention Tips:
- Ensure the home is well-lit: Proper lighting helps seniors with vision difficulties navigate safely.
- Keep pathways clear: Remove clutter and secure or tuck away electrical cords.
- Schedule regular eye exams: Have your loved one’s vision checked by a doctor regularly.
- Monitor medications and health: Encourage seniors to inform their doctor about any medications or conditions that cause dizziness, weakness, or unsteadiness.
- Educate on fall response: Make sure seniors and family members know what to do in the event of a fall.
How We Support Your Senior Loved Ones
Advances in technology have greatly improved fall prevention for seniors. At Sage Home Care, we offer our Smart Aide Fall Prevention System, available at no cost for clients receiving 12-hour or 24-hour Live-In Services in Connecticut.
The Smart Aide system allows you to monitor your loved ones in multiple areas of the home from a single, central location. The central monitor can be set up and programmed—or reprogrammed—as needed to suit your loved one’s unique situation. Key features of the system include:
- Wireless system: All components connect wirelessly, with a range of up to 300 feet.
- Digital display: Alerts the caregiver to the exact location of the triggered alert or the loved one needing assistance.
- Audible and visual alerts for immediate notification.
- Anti-wandering features: Includes cordless floor mats and wireless window/door exit alarms.
- Wireless bed and chair sensors: Detect weight changes to monitor exits.
- Motion sensors for added safety.
- Nurse call button for emergencies.
- Pager for the personal attendant to ensure prompt response.
In addition to our Smart Aide Fall Prevention System, our personal attendants provide hands-on support to help reduce the risk of falls for your senior loved ones at home. We also deliver personalized in-home care services designed to enhance their comfort, safety, and overall quality of life.
Contact Sage Home Care today at 845-582-0337 to to learn more about our senior care services in Darien, CT, and the surrounding areas, and discover how our Fall Prevention Program can benefit your loved ones.