THE CARE YOU DESERVE©

Research indicates that more than one-third of adults 65 and older slip and fall each year. As we age, bone density naturally diminishes and, as a result, seniors nationwide suffer between 360,000 and 480,000 fall-related fractures annually. In some extreme cases, these slip and fall accidents may even result in death. In this week’s posts, we will be looking at ways to protect the health and well-being of your aging loved ones by preventing slip and fall accidents around the home.

The first line of defense when it comes to avoiding the dangers of falls around the home is senior fitness. Changes in vision, muscle strength, coordination and reflex response time make the elderly more susceptible to slip and fall accidents. Therefore, it is essential that your loved one gets as much regular exercise as possible in order to increase lower body strength and improve balance.

Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet may also help your loved one feel stronger. Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D help to prevent bone loss, lowering the risk of fracture in the case of a fall. Staying hydrated is also key to preventing dizziness and weakness that may cause falls.

In addition to diet and exercise, it’s a good idea to make sure that seniors have regular eye checks, as reduced visual capacity may prevent them from seeing hazards and obstacles that often cause falls.

A FREE home assessment, will address some common hazards that increase the risk of slip and fall accidents around the home and discuss what you can do to remove obstacles and minimize that risk for your older relative or loved one.