An elderly parent getting injured in a fall is often the moment when an adult child realizes that a parent is struggling. The fall could be a warning sign that you mom or dad can no longer live independently in Maryland. Whether your parent lives at home or in a facility, you can take steps to investigate the source of the fall.
Check for health issues
Your mom or dad may have worsening arthritis. Stiff, sore joints limit mobility. Flares of pain can make a person lose balance and fall.
Medication may also be to blame because many pharmaceuticals cause dizziness or lightheadedness. You may need to consult your parent’s physician about adjusting medication or make sure your parent understands not to take the medication before being active or taking shower.
Look for tripping hazards
Floor mats and poor lighting place seniors at risk. Remove mats from the home that tend to bunch up. Add more lighting so that your parent can see better in the hallway or bedroom. You may want to look into having your mom or dad’s bath remodeled into a walk-in shower to reduce bathing risks.
Designers of elderly residential facilities keep tripping hazards to a minimum. However, people living in care homes are usually there because they need assistance with activities like dressing, toileting and bathing. Nursing home neglect can sometimes lead to falls when a resident tries to do something alone due to insufficient staffing.
Encourage physical fitness
Although the aging process leads inevitably to physical decline, this does not mean that seniors cannot improve their fitness. Older people who remain ambulatory can maintain strength and balance by getting regular exercise appropriate for their age. Their risk of falls decreases when they keep their bodies as strong as possible.
