Although anyone can have a fall, as people get older they tend to fall more regularly than those who are younger and more physically able. Things such as muscle weakness and balance problems in later years can make falling much more common and all older adults should do what they can to try to reduce the likelihood of falling. 

For the majority, a fall in their later years will significantly affect their confidence and even if they’re not badly injured from the fall, they will then be worried about moving around their home independently. Should an older person get injured from a fall, it can take them longer to recover too and they may need to spend a prolonged period of time in the hospital. 

Thankfully, the majority of falls can often be prevented and there are lots of things you can do to reduce the risk of falling, including; 

Remove the trip hazards from your home 

The majority of falls actually happen in the home and whilst this is a familiar environment, there will likely be a number of trip hazards that you can remove to make it safer to move around. Simply removing things such as rugs, mats and any loose wires can help to prevent you from tripping and falling whilst you’re at home. Generally speaking, taking some time to declutter in your later years is really helpful when it comes to reducing the risk of falls too. 

It is worth noting that there are lots of adaptations you can make to your home which will make it safer for you to move around too. You should get in touch with your local council who can provide you with a ‘home assessment’ whereby they will recommend which changes you can implement, such as; fitting handrails, adding a bath lift, putting an outdoor ramp in and fitting a stairlift. You can find out more about a home assessment online via the Government website. 

Regularly attend eye tests 

Getting your eyes tested is really important in later years and when your eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be, you will be more likely to fall due to not seeing a trip hazard or even loss of balance. If you’re unable to drive and you’re worried about going to an optician by yourself, you can enlist the help of a home care provider. They have care workers who can assist you with attending important appointments like eye tests, hearing tests and doctor appointments. 

Change your footwear 

How stable you are on your feet will also be influenced by the footwear that you wear and buying a new pair of shoes can be really beneficial to prevent falls. Wearing a well-fitting stable pair of shoes that won’t slip off your feet will help to ensure you’re staying steady whilst walking. Similarly, buying a comfortable and supportive pair of slippers to wear around the house is useful too and wearing slippers can prevent you from slipping and falling when you’re indoors. 

Maintain a healthy balanced diet 

As people get older, their appetite changes and lots of older adults don’t eat as much as they should throughout the day. Eating foods with high nutritional value is really important though and not only will this help to keep you strong, but it will prevent you from feeling dizzy too, which can ultimately lead to a fall. If you’re struggling with your diet and you need help with food shopping or preparation, this is something else that a home care provider will be able to assist you with. 

Try to stay active 

Many spend more time at home sitting down in their later years and they will give up active hobbies that keep them fit and healthy. Whilst you might not be able to do the things you used to, staying active is essential to keeping your muscles strong and this will help to reduce the likelihood of falling. Even just going for a walk every day can make a difference in this regard and you should try to make sure that you’re not overlooking the importance of regular exercise. 

Reducing the likelihood of falls 

Hopefully, if you’re worried about falling as you get older, the information above will be beneficial. All of this advice can help you to not only reduce the risk of falling, but also remain living independently at home without any loss of confidence due to a scary fall. Not to mention, actively trying to prevent falls will help to make sure you’re staying out of hospital as well.  

If you’d like to speak to an expert about home assessments in more detail or if you’d like to find out more about the different home care services available, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Care Captains today. We offer a comprehensive care brokerage service and we will be able to provide you with any support and guidance that you require in this regard. We have unparalleled knowledge of the care market and our friendly team will happily answer any questions that you may have. Should you wish to enlist the help of a home care provider, we can help you to design a suitable care plan and even manage your home care for you too.