Falling can come with serious consequences for seniors, from severe injuries to death. While falls may seem like minor accidents to younger individuals, the severity of falls can depend on how the individual lands as well as their age. In this article, we share with you exactly why falling is so dangerous for seniors and some tips you can follow to prevent it.
Why Falling is More Dangerous for Seniors
Compared to younger individuals, seniors can suffer from more serious consequences after a fall. This is due to several age-related factors, including increased bone frailty and any pre-existing medical conditions they may have. The likelihood of a senior recovering completely from a fall and regaining the level of mobility they had before is slim, particularly if the fall was severe. Even with injuries that are less serious, hospitalization and recuperation typically take longer than for younger individuals and can develop into further trauma.
Long-Term Effects of Falling on Seniors
After a fall, life may not be the same again, both in practical and psychological terms. Seniors may encounter mobility limitations they hadn’t experienced before as well as psychological trauma from a particularly serious fall. As a result, seniors who have suffered from serious fall-related injuries can start to reduce their activity level, confining themselves to the perceived safety of home.
Although these lifestyle changes are understandable, this can lead to social isolation in the long run, and a sedentary lifestyle certainly doesn’t contribute to a healthy fitness level. Increased dependence on others to get about can make a senior virtually stuck at home and lower their sense of self-esteem.
Fall Prevention Tips
The best way to avoid the far-reaching consequences of senior falls is to prevent them in the first place. Below are some tips to follow to reduce the chances of falling:
- Install slip-proof mats in bathrooms and areas that tend to be slippery.
- If required, always ensure that your loved one has a suitable walking aid for their needs, such as a walker or cane.
- Keep up an exercise routine that helps to maintain muscle mass and strength.
- Seniors with impaired vision should wear glasses and follow the steps highlighted by their physician or optician.
Get Your Needs Taken Care of in a Senior Living Community
After a fall, you or your loved one may be struggling to find suitable care options from home. You may require a period of downtime to recuperate, or you may no longer be able to regain the level of mobility you enjoyed before. When that’s the case, consider short-term residential respite care. In our warm and welcoming community at Discovery Commons At Bradenton, you will benefit from stylish amenities, customized care services and nutritious meals while you recover. Our senior assisted living program is perfect for seniors who require assistance with daily living tasks but would like freedom in all other aspects to live the life they wish.
