Maintaining balance and coordination becomes more important—and difficult—with age. Muscle strength, joint flexibility, eyesight, and inner ear function all decline with age, increasing the risk of falls and injuries. Fortunately, with home care assistance by their side, seniors are able to stay on their feet and live safely and confidently in their own homes.
Understanding The Risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every four Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. In fact, falls are the greatest cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older individuals. They can cause fractures, hospitalization, and loss of independence. However, many falls are preventable, especially with the proper support system in place.
How Home Care Assistance Helps With Fall Prevention
Having home care assistance in the home not only helps seniors with their everyday tasks but also improves their general health and well-being. A few of the ways that caregivers help improve balance and coordination include the following:
Personalized Exercise Plans: With home care assistance, seniors can practice exercises prescribed by physical therapists safely in their home. These exercise routines are often meant to strengthen core muscles, increase flexibility, and improve proprioception (the body’s awareness of position and movement). These routines may include basic activities such as chair exercises, stretching, tai chi, or guided balance exercises, all of which can greatly lower the risk of falls over time.
Safe Home Environment: Caregivers can assist in assessing a senior’s living space for potential fall hazards. As a result, they can offer recommendations to the senior and their family, including things like clearing clutter, securing loose carpets, installing grab bars in the bathroom and on stairs, enhancing lighting, and rearranging furniture to provide clear walking routes. These changes provide a safer atmosphere that promotes movement and stability.
Daily Support and Supervision: One of the most important benefits of home care assistance is the peace of mind that comes with having someone around. Caregivers can offer physical assistance during tasks such as bathing, dressing, or transferring from one room to another, when seniors are most vulnerable to falls. This help may also include reminders to use assistive devices such as canes or walkers as needed.
Medication Management: Some medications or combinations of medications might cause dizziness, sleepiness, or low blood pressure, all of which can impair balance. Home care assistance helps with medication reminders, monitoring side effects, and communicating concerns to the healthcare team, lowering the risk of medication-related falls.
Encouragement and Confidence Building: Maintaining one’s balance is more than simply physical; it’s also psychological. Fear of falling might cause seniors to limit their exercise, leading to additional loss of strength and coordination. Having home care assistance by their side gives them encouragement and the confidence they need to stay active.
Balance and coordination are critical for aging healthily. With home care assistance, seniors can preserve their freedom and quality of life by combining exercise, home safety, medication support, and companionship.
If a loved one is experiencing mobility issues, home care assistance may be the solution they need. With the correct assistance, remaining on their feet can become a reality rather than just a hope.
If you or someone you know needs Home Care Assistance in Fairmont, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 525-7742 for more information.
Sources: