Fall Prevention Week: Helping Seniors Stay Safe in Chattanooga, TN

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Fall Prevention Week will be between September 22-26 this year. Never heard of it? Well, it's a week that aims to raise fall risk awareness in older adults.

If you have a beloved senior in Chattanooga, TN, then you may already be concerned about their safety and well-being. So it can be a good idea to learn about Fall Prevention Week so you can help make their living environment somewhere safe and comfortable.

Here are easy and actionable things you can do to contribute to senior safety in Chattanooga, TN.

Keep Pathways Clear and Lit

Part of excellent senior apartment design is large, clear spaces. Now, your loved one may have started with a blank slate for their apartment, but after moving in and making themselves at home, it may be messier than intended.

Help them out by clearing out clutter and cords. The walkways should also be free of:

• Shoes
• Rugs that curl up at the edges
• Furniture that sticks out

In addition, ensure that their apartment is well-lit. An easy way to do this is to add nightlights in the hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms. You can also use motion-sensor lights, which are great if your beloved senior gets up often in the dark.

Wear Proper Footwear Every Day

One of the top assisted living mobility tips is to wear proper footwear. Slippers without grip or just plain socks can make older adults more likely to slip.

So instead, have your loved one wear shoes with non-slip soles. The footwear should fit well and provide good support.

If they prefer slippers, then look for styles that have rubber bottoms and closed heels. That way, the slippers won't slide off their feet.

Use Assistive Devices if Recommended

Some seniors may be recommended assistive devices, like canes, walkers, or another mobility aid. They may be resistant to using them since they see these aids as weaknesses. However, they're actually tools for independence.

Let them know that using these devices can give them added support and reduce their risk of falling, especially on uneven surfaces or during longer walks. Encourage them to practice getting used to using these mobility aids.

While you're at it, make sure they're adjusted to the right height, and that the tips, grips, and wheels are in good condition.

Stay Active to Improve Balance and Strength

If your beloved senior is looking for aging-in-place strategies, then there's nothing better than staying active. Weak muscles and poor balance can both increase your fall risk, so older adults need to strengthen their legs and improve coordination.

Some gentle activities to consider include:

• Walking
• Chair yoga
• Tai chi

What's great is that many senior living communities offer group fitness classes that are specifically designed for balance and stability. So help your loved one find the appropriate classes for their mobility level.

Make Bathrooms Safer

According to Stanford Medicine, bathrooms are one of the most common places for seniors to fall in, due to all the wet and slippery surfaces. So when it comes to independent living or memory care fall prevention, the focus should be on making bathrooms safer.

These things can make daily routines much safer:

• Adding grab bars near the toilet and shower
• Using a non-slip bath mat
• Putting in a shower chair
• Installing a raised toilet seat
• Installing a hand-held showerhead

Manage Medications Wisely

Some medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or balance issues. This means it's important to have your elderly loved one review prescriptions with their doctor to understand any side effects. If they feel unsteady after starting a new medication, then they should immediately inform their healthcare provider.

Also, it's beneficial to keep a medication list handy. It can help in case of emergencies or adjustments.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

Both dehydration and poor nutrition can lead to:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Fainting spells

It's essential that your senior drinks water throughout the day. They should also eat a balanced diet with enough protein, fruits, and vegetables.

Do they often forget to drink water? Then help them by setting reminders or keeping a water bottle close by. If they're tech-savvy, there are also apps that can motivate them to drink water at various intervals in the day.

Schedule Regular Vision and Hearing Checks

Staying steady on your feet requires good vision and hearing. Obviously, poor eyesight can make it difficult to spot obstacles, and hearing issues can affect your balance. Combined, they can have disastrous results.

Ensure that your elderly loved one schedules yearly eye exams and that they update their glasses if needed. They should also book hearing checks to identify issues if they're feeling off-balance.

Take Your Time and Don't Rush

Falls often happen when people hurry, such as when they're:

• Getting to the phone
• Answering the door
• Rushing to the bathroom

We can't emphasize enough how vital it is that your senior takes time and uses support when needed. For example, if their community offers personal alert systems or call buttons, they should keep them close by so they don't feel pressured to move too quickly.

It's important to remember this: It's better to arrive safely than quickly.

Encourage Communication With Staff and Loved Ones

Older adults who have felt unsteady or have had a close call should communicate this with senior living community staff and/or their loved ones. They may initially be hesitant to speak up, but stress that sharing concerns can prevent accidents before they happen.

To be a great support system for your loved one, offer to check their living space for hazards and encourage them to keep up with health appointments.

It Goes Beyond Fall Prevention Week

Fall Prevention Week is just a few days in the year, and its aim is to draw attention to preventable senior falls. However, it goes beyond just a week.

It's essential that older adults and their loved ones are vigilant about falls all year long. And with the useful information we've given here, you can do exactly that.

Signal Mountain Senior Living is a pet-friendly community that has upgraded units available too. Contact us now to hear more about senior living in Chattanooga, TN.