What are Risk Factors for Increased Fall Risk?

By Andy Niska | April 28, 2017 |

Caregiver in Spokane South Hill WA: What are Risk Factors for Increased Fall Risk?

In your role as a family caregiver, one issue that you are likely aware of is the high risk of falls for elderly adults. What you might not realize is that while all seniors are at higher risk of suffering a fall or a serious injury associated with a fall than younger people, there are some factors that further increase the chances that your elderly loved one will experience a fall. Understanding these risks factors can help you to make meaningful care choices for your senior to help them to stay safer throughout their later years.

Some of the risk factors for increased fall risk include:

Muscle weakness. Particularly when it comes to the muscles in the legs, muscle weakness makes mobility much more difficult and challenges your parent’s ability to control their body and correct movements that might cause them to fall. It is very important to encourage your parent to keep the muscles through their entire body strong and flexible.
Balance problems. Poor balance makes it much more difficult for your parent to manage mobility effectively. This includes walking, sitting and standing, getting in and out of the shower or tub, getting in and out of bed, toileting, and more. If your senior is struggling with balance problems, they are more likely to lose their footing and are less likely to be able to catch themselves or stay on their feet.
Sudden blood pressure drops. Dehydration, certain medications, and health conditions can cause your parent’s blood pressure to drop suddenly, particularly when changing positions such as standing or sitting up from lying down. When this happens, your parent might feel dizzy or woozy, possibly causing a fall. It is very important to recognize this issue and take steps to either ease it or cope with it with techniques such as moving more slowly or taking a few sips of water before moving.
Slowed reflexes. Older people tend to have slower reflexes than younger people. These are the response mechanisms that allow your parent to react to thing such as losing their balance. If their reflexes are slowed, they are less likely to be able to catch themselves or correct their movements so that they are more likely to actually fall.

If you are concerned about your aging parent’s safety when you are not able to be with them or believe that they would benefit from more diversified care, starting home care for them might be the ideal solution. A home care provider can be with your aging loved one on a schedule that is specifically customized to them, meaning that they will get everything that they need according to their challenges and limitations, as well as the amount of care that you are able to give to them. For those who are dealing with issues that might increase their fall risk, this can be particularly beneficial. An in-home care provider can offer your parent physical support and assistance that can help them to maintain an active, engaged, and largely independent lifestyle while also helping to prevent serious falls that can lead to devastating injuries and complications. This can give you confidence that your parent can maintain a higher quality of life as they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home caregiver services in Spokane South Hill, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Sources:

Why Older People Fall & How to Reduce Fall Risk

https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/

https://nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/causesandriskfactors/01.html

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2159.html

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.