The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and 37% of those who fall reported an injury that required medical attention or stopped them from activity for at least a day. If you have a loved one who's a senior, then this may be frightening information.
However, you probably can't monitor them every day, as you have your own life to lead. What's fortunate is that there are fall prevention devices you can get for your beloved senior to make sure their fall risks are minimized.
If you're interested in boosting senior safety in California, MD, then read on. Here are essential devices to consider for your loved one and their home.
As we get older, our bodies become frailer, and we're not as strong as we used to be. This is why two of the memory care safety features (which are also great for assisted living wellness) you'll see are grab bars and safety rails, which are placed in apartments designed specifically for seniors.
Sturdy, wall-mounted grab bars give older adults something solid to hold on to when:
Because they're permanently mounted on the wall instead of stuck on, they're designed to hold real weight, so you can put your full trust in them.
Both grab bars and safety rails should be placed where hands naturally reach. Look for textured, non-slip finishes and diameters that are comfortable for your loved one's grip.
A study by Appeadu and Bordoni published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that 30-50% of falls in older adults happened due to poor lighting, uneven surfaces, and floors that are slippery. It's possible to find all three things in the bathroom, making it one of the most dangerous rooms in the house.
Considering that bathing is one of the most common times for slips, you want to do everything possible to keep your senior stable. So one device you'll want for your loved one is a shower chair. This provides a stable seat while they wash; for extra stability, choose a model with a backrest and arms.
Another is the transfer bench. This straddles the tub edge, allowing your beloved senior to sit first and slide their legs over instead of stepping over a high wall.
You can pair these devices with a handheld showerhead and a non-slip bath mat for a complete, safer setup.
Standing up from low seats can be hard on the hips and knees, and it can cause wobbling too. But if you raise the seat just a bit, then your loved one won't have to squat as far.
Some models have side handles that give you a secure push-off surface. And some have a locking mechanism that clamps to the bowl.
Whichever model you opt for, look for:
Regarding mobility support for seniors, there are several options available.
The first is the cane, which adds just enough support to make walking feel safe again. Offset-handle canes keep your weight centered over the shaft for better balance, while quad canes have a small four-footed base that stands on its own and offers more stability.
There are also walkers, which offer more support than canes. A standard walker is very stable indoors, but a two-wheel walker rolls more smoothly.
Lastly, there are rollators, which have four wheels, a seat, and hand brakes. They're excellent for longer distances and rest breaks.
Getting in and out of bed or up from a chair can be risky moments for seniors. An easy solution is a low-profile bed rail, which provides a steady handhold without trapping your loved one.
A floor-to-ceiling tension pole (also called a transfer or security pole) can be useful too. It's a sturdy vertical grab point, and there's no major construction required. Place the pole on the side your loved one usually exits, aligned with where their hand naturally reaches.
Bare feet and slick soles are slip risks, so your senior should stick to shoes or slippers with firm, non-skid outsoles and a closed heel, as these improve traction and stability. Traction socks with rubber grips are handy for nighttime bathroom trips too.
For longer walking that supports senior health, look for:
One of the easiest and best aging-in-place tools you can get is good lighting. If you opt for motion-activated plug-in lights, these can illuminate the following when your loved one gets up at night:
Look for warm, glare-free lights, and aim the lights toward the floor to further reduce glare. There are also lights that have dusk-to-dawn sensors, so your elderly loved one doesn't have to turn on lights by themselves.
A medical alert pendant or watch can connect your beloved senior to help 24/7 at the push of a button. In fact, many models can auto-detect a hard fall and call the monitoring center, even if the button isn't pressed.
Factors you should consider include:
There are many fall prevention devices available, not just the ones we've mentioned. However, these are the most important ones we thought you should know about.
With your beloved senior, you should explore these options and determine which ones work best for their situation. From there, you can then purchase and implement the ideal devices.
To schedule a tour of a senior living community in California, MD, get in touch with us today. The culinary team at Discovery Commons at Wildewood received the esteemed Gold Star Award for 2023, which is a testament to our dedication to excellence for our residents.