One of the greatest concerns for aging family members living alone is that they may fall and be unable to get assistance. The number of falls has been increasing and is unfortunately the leading cause of death for older Australians. If this is your concern, the good news is there are a number of things you can do to prevent them.
How do you prevent falls at home?
Some of the best ways to prevent falls is to look after the health and mobility of your family, (and yourself). Three of the best ways are through exercise, safety devices and technology and some of these prevention strategies have benefits beyond home safety. Better mental health can be achieved through exercise and the feeling of safety and security and therefore it is important to consider the full range of options available. Group exercise and activities are an excellent way for people to stay connected and social and therefore improve the overall health and wellbeing and there are a lot of different options for groups and local community associations.Exercise
Getting regular exercise is key so they can move freely without aids. A person who retains their agility is at a lesser risk of falling in their home and as you age you need to keep yourself in the best possible shape so you can continue moving ably in and outside the home.Safety
If they are unable to move around without aids, we recommend home modifications so the house is safer. Things like rails in the bathroom, ramps to replace stairs and light switches at the correct height. It is also important that clutter is reduced around the home to reduce the number of trip hazards.Technology
There are many different devices now available to assist a person living alone. Pendants and emergency call buttons are common devices that can ensure a person is able to send for help, when they are in a compromised position. There are also specific mobile devices that will keep calling until someone answers so you can be certain help will arrive as soon as possible.Professional advice in the home
Every home is different and each person’s needs also differ. We recommend you ask for professional advice for how you can improve the safety at home.
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