The Elderly and Falling

Last year an elderly woman while walking, tripped on a small tuft of grass, fell - and broke her hip! Her recovery was painful, debilitating and at times depressing. It also affected her elderly husband who relied heavily on her for day to day activities such as dressing, bathing and managing medications.

Falling is the number one reason why seniors enter Nursing Homes for rehabilitation, extended stay or worst of all, long term stay. The rehab process lasts weeks, if not months, with much often painstaking or monotonous physical therapy.

As we get older, our bones become brittle due to both age and possible calcium deficiencies. The most routine movements or slips and falls can bring on a broken hip, a fractured wrist breaking a fall, or a broken leg. It is best to have a friend or family member walk through one's home and add some safety measures to reduce this risk. Installing some grab bars in the shower and near the toilet will increase your senior loved one's safety and confidence.

Maybe Aunt Jenny has managed just fine all her life in her one level home, but now with her shuffle, Aunt Jenny runs the risk of tripping over a mat or rug. Uncle Fred has never needed a rail down his three steps but because he has to worry about his diminishing sight, it would be a very effective precautionary measure to install a rail on the wall.
Taking the time now may save you countless hours of anguish, despair and guilt later. Too many times actions are taken only after an accident of some kind has occurred.

It is very useful to share these types of stories with our elderly loved ones when suggesting these measures since most suggestions of "change" are met with opposition from the elderly. There are decorative ways to install rails so one does not exchange their feeling of home for an institutional feeling. By getting the input of your loved one, they will feel like this change to their home was their idea as well.

Whether one is young and just beginning life or elderly and living in an Assisted Living community, a strong diet and good nutrition will positively affect the quality of life now and in the future. As we age, we need every defense on the frontlines to assist our bodies in confronting the natural aging process.