Are you a senior adult looking for the steps you can take now to prevent the long-term consequences of a fall? You are probably very aware that falling may cause critical injuries and have long-term effects on your overall health. However, there is good news because most falls are preventable. We encourage you to research information about the risks of seniors falling and make any lifestyle adjustments you may need to make. These steps will enable you to reduce the risk of falling and the long-term effect of a hip fracture and head injury that too often is the result.
To begin your research we recommend attending any events or reading any information available in your community for National Fall Prevention Awareness Day which is September 22, 2022. This is an annual nationwide event hosted by the National Council on Aging and it offers a wide range of educational tools and materials to learn about the impact of senior falls and the costs to their families. More information can be found here.
As a senior adult you need to take steps in regard to any issues you may have that would make you at risk of falling. Also, reach out to your family and friends to get their insights into the following warning signs that might put you at risk of falling.
• Decline in mental alertness
• A recent fall, or near-fall
• Vision problems
• Balance issues
• Frailty and muscular weakness
• Changes in physical health, such as a recent surgery
You might want to consider other steps like finding exercise support groups that offer evidence-based programs, such as Tai Chi, getting screened for osteoporosis, and asking your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of your medications that could cause a fall, like dizziness.
Another very important step to take would be to take a serious look at your home. Again, include family and friends in helping you make changes to your home for safety reasons. Here are some suggestions for home safety measures that can reduce or eliminate senior adult falls.
• Improve the lighting both inside and outside your home
• Remove rugs or if you want to keep them, secure their edges to the floor
• Repair broken floorboards, cracked pavement and any other uneven surfaces
• Make wider walkways by rearranging furniture
•Keep floors free of clutter and remove any small objects from floors
• Grab bars make a great addition to your bathtub, shower, stairways and toilet areas
Finally, if you fall anywhere away from your home we recommend contacting a qualified Connecticut elder care attorney and learn about your rights. Falls outside the home are sometimes caused by negligence and there is little anyone at any age can do to prevent them. However, recouped monies may be needed to pay for expensive medical care.
We know this blog may raise more questions than it answers. We want you not to wait to learn more about this critical issue facing all of us, but most importantly Connecticut seniors. Remember, being prepared is the best defense you can have in place. The Northeast Law Center practices law in many Connecticut counties including Hartford, New London, Tolland and Windham. We encourage you to contact us and schedule a meeting.