One out of four Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. As a prevalent issue impacting individuals in their golden years, preventive measures such as consulting a caregiver should be a top priority. If you’re looking for ways to protect a senior loved one from an unnecessary incident, here are a few recommendations to embrace. 

4 Ways to Help a Senior Loved One Avoid Falls

1. Identify Medical Issues

Take your loved one to their primary care provider for a routine checkup. By understanding their current health condition, range of motion, and any medications that might impair their ability to walk or operate a vehicle, you’ll know what precautions to take to reduce the likelihood of a fall. 

2. Minimize Hazards

In addition to consulting a health care provider, walk around your loved one’s home and identify and fix any risks that could increase the odds of a fall. These could be simple adjustments, such as minimizing clutter, checking to make sure rugs aren’t upturned, and ensuring there is traction on stairwells and in areas like the bathroom or kitchen where floors can get slippery. 

3. Encourage Physical Activity

Adhering to a routine that includes physical activity can improve your loved one’s mobility, muscle strength, and flexibility, thus reducing the odds of a fall. With this in mind, take your loved one for walks around the neighborhood. Alternatively, sign them up for group exercise classes such as yoga or water aerobics. This is a good way to help them socialize and engage with other seniors while promoting mobility and balance. 

4. Work With a Home Health Care Agency

For added peace of mind, particularly if you’re unable to visit with your senior loved one on a daily basis, reach out to an elderly care agency. By finding an in-home caregiver, you can rest easy knowing your loved one has assistance with daily activities. Caregivers can encourage an active lifestyle and offer helpful advice in terms of equipment or new arrangements inside the home to further reduce the odds of a fall on stairwells and in washrooms. They can also provide routine updates, so you have insight into the overall mental and physical wellness of your friend or family member. 

If you have an elderly loved one in Berkeley, St. Charles, or St. Louis, MO, who needs help preventing falls and completing daily activities to improve their overall quality of life, Deer Valley Home Health Services has a dedicated caregiver who can assist. Since 2005, this home health care agency has established a stellar reputation throughout the local community for providing attentive, compassionate, and flexible elderly care for seniors who wish to remain within the comfort of home. Call (314) 355-3679 today to schedule a consultation, and visit their website for more information on their wide range of services.