Fall-related injuries can result in serious health repercussions in seniors. Not only are these extremely painful for them, but dealing with the aftermath can a harrowing time for the family too. 

In this blog, we will cover some of the major factors that can cause seniors to slip and fall at home so that you can work out ways to prevent them in the future:

Existing Medical Conditions

This is one of the most commonly cited problems that’s associated with higher susceptibility to slips and falls. Many seniors suffer from mobility issues, vision problems, and chronic medical conditions. While allopathic interventions might help to deal with the symptoms, these might also have side effects which lead to drowsiness or excessive weakness. This in turn might cause falls. 

To reduce this risk, caregivers should take into consideration prescription medication changes and the senior’s mental and physical state to make home improvements accordingly. By taking recourse of proper fall prevention equipment such as floor pressure mat alarms, they can make sure that the senior’s physical limitations don’t lead to serious falls. 

Cluttered Home Environment 

A cluttered home won’t only put your senior loved one at risk of falling, but it also poses a risk to the entire family. A leaking roof that’s causing a puddle in the hallway, excessive sunlight flooding in, or objects are strewn all over the floor can create a risky fall environment for everyone in the home. 

At the same time, one has to bear in mind that floor--borne things such as slippery mats and carpets can also contribute to falls. An alternative to the former would be floor pressure sensor mats that are not only anti-slip in nature, but also act as crucial caregiving aids. For the latter, ensure that your carpets are secured and have no curled edges.

Taking steps to reduce the likelihood of falls shouldn’t be a one-time occurrence. It should become a habit and a part of one’s lifestyle to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your family. 

Lighting Conditions 

As mentioned above, many seniors fall because of existing vision difficulties. However, the lighting at home also has an important role to play in this. Ensure that you fix proper lights in the hallways and near doors so that they don’t miss obstacles on the way. 

Make their bedroom easy to navigate by installing a number of lamps and ensuring that no shadows are cast in the areas that receive high traffic. Make sure that the lighting is not too bright as that would startle them or make them feel woozy, causing them to lose their balance. Avoid lamps that leave a glare too. 

Clothing and Footwear

Constrictive clothing can lead to excessive sweating or reduce blood flow to vital organs, ultimately making seniors dizzy and causing falls. Additionally, loose clothing may get caught in doorways and furniture. Many seniors also trip while trying to wear trousers on their own. One way to avoid such problems is to look for well-fitting adaptive clothing. 

And then there are shoes, which is probably one of the most significant causal factors behind falls. It is important to invest in anti-skid shoes that fit their feet well. This can not only lower fall risk, but it will also offer them optimum comfort while walking.