5 Ways to Help Aging Parents Who Fall & Can’t Get Up
Despite the challenges inherent to aging, many seniors are hesitant to give up their independence. As an adult child helping to care for elderly parents, you may struggle to find a balance between worrying about loved ones and overstepping when it comes to health and safety concerns.
If you start to notice your parents struggling to stand, walk, and perform daily tasks, or if a parent has fallen more than once, you may wonder what you can do to help. The good news is that you can effectively provide support without necessarily impinging on your parents’ independence.
It all starts with understanding common causes of falls and taking steps to mitigate risks. Here are five key ways to help aging parents who may be at risk of falling:
1. Understand Common Reasons for Falls
Fall risk can increase with advanced age as vision, balance, and range of motion deteriorate. A decline in muscle mass and bone density can also impact how likely someone is to fall, including whether they will be able to get up on their own afterward.
Additionally, elderly adults may suffer from a range of conditions that can elevate fall risk, such as:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- heart disease
- Diabetes
- cognitive decline
Some medications may also contribute to falls.
The home environment is a key factor as well, particularly if living spaces are cluttered or otherwise unsafe, or if there are a lot of stairs. When you understand common causes of falls or you happen to know why your elderly parent fell in the first place, you can determine whether you can make changes to mitigate risks and enhance safety.
2. Create a Safe Home Environment
There are several ways to create a safe living environment and reduce the risks of falls. A good place to start is by asking a healthcare or home health provider about a home risk fall assessment to pinpoint problems specific to your parents’ home and health conditions.
For example, you may need to address clutter that could be a tripping or slipping hazard, along with items like loose area rugs, exposed electrical cords, slippery surfaces, and stairs. Tubs and showers can be particularly problematic, both in terms of entry/exit and slippery surfaces, but the addition of stability bars and non-slip mats can help.
Low lighting could create problems, as could poorly arranged furniture that impedes movement. You should also check that frequently used items are within easy reach so that your parents aren’t unnecessarily bending or climbing to access them.
3. Provide a Medical Alert System
Today, many services offer medical alert technologies with wearable components like pendants, clip-ons, and wristbands/smartwatches that allow customers to alert someone with the push of a button when a fall occurs. You might consider one of these services for your parents.
When a monitoring service receives an alert, they assess the situation to rule out accidental alerts, then inform first responders, family members, or other designated individuals so that the patient can get help quickly.
4. Consider Home Care Solutions
Professional caregivers provide a variety of services to patients who are at risk of falling. They can observe and assist in daily activities, sometimes even taking on tasks like cooking, light housekeeping, pet care, or patient bathing/grooming that may increase falling risks.
These professionals can also make sure your parents follow prescribed regimens for medication and exercise/physical therapy, further reducing risk factors for falling accidents. Muscle weakness is among the most common causes of falls, so managing a suitable strength training or functional fitness routine can be invaluable.
5. Establish Clear Communication With Parents
Although slips and falls are dangerous, elderly parents may hesitate to seek help if they feel it will impact their independence. You need to have a discussion and let your parents know that you care about them and you only want to help.
In addition, seniors who have suffered one or more falls might feel anxiety related to activities that entail the risk of falling. As a result, they may avoid physical activities, which could, in turn, weaken muscles and exacerbate the issue.
Removing the stigma surrounding the situation could help to keep lines of communication open so that you can trust your parents will call you when an incident occurs. Failure to report falls can lead to serious health concerns in the long term, making establishing clear communication critical to ensuring positive outcomes.
With Help, Your Parents Can Maintain Their Independence
As people age, many prefer to stay in their homes, where they feel comfortable. They want to remain independent and maintain their dignity as long as possible.
If your parents have fallen at home and struggled to get up, it’s a good idea to speak with them openly and honestly about your concerns. By taking steps to create a safer environment and understanding common hazards, you can help your parents enjoy their independence for longer — without worrying about falls.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
