Some people think falling is just some something senior citizens have to expect will happen eventually. Although there are many environmental factors that may cause falls and can’t be entirely controlled, it’s not responsible to just assume falls are inevitable. In fact, elderly fall prevention is something many people can positively influence, from caregivers to physicians.
Doctors Can Recommend Aids During Patient Appointments
Physicians can be instrumental in assisting with elderly fall prevention, especially because they hold positions of influence. Doctors are often the first resources people look to when they need advice about how to best cope with life changes that impact patient abilities. During an appointment with a person who is particularly concerned about falling, a doctor could make a suggestion about using an aid that could make a person more able to change positions safely without worrying about loss of balance.
Physical Therapists Are Elderly Fall Prevention Experts
Sometimes falls happen because of things like slick surfaces, loud noises that startle someone who’s walking, or improperly tied shoelaces. However, there can also be biomechanical characteristics that combine to make a person more at risk for falling. For example, maybe a person has suffered a brain injury that causes him or her to have a shuffling gait where the feet are dragged instead of picked up with each step. Physical therapists can coach a person to consciously relearn ways to get around that are safer and less likely to cause falls.
Caregivers Can Teach People How to Make Secure Transitions
Falls can be more likely to happen when a person is trying to make some sort of transition, such as getting out of the bathtub from a seated position, or maybe trying to rise from a standing position after being perched on a very low chair. A caregiver can play an important role in fall prevention for older by helping clients feel confident about changing positions without compromising their senses of balance.
Clearly, there are many groups of people that can positively influence a person’s risk of falling. Statistics say senior citizens are more likely than others to suffer falls, but that doesn’t mean preventative measures can’t be taken to avoid the possibility. When older individuals feel equipped to be proactive about reducing the risk of falls, they are often able to live more satisfying lives.