It is not uncommon to worry about senior parents, especially if they are still living independently. The fear that something may happen and there will be no one to assist an elderly loved one is common. And to add to this concern, as people get older, it’s harder for the body to bounce back from trauma like a fall. Know what to do after a senior falls so that you can provide the best care possible.
At Buckner, we understand that having an elderly loved one comes with a lot of worries about their safety and quality of life. Thankfully, there are services like senior security at Buckner Retirement Services that can help family members achieve some peace of mind. Our luxury senior communities offer round-the-clock security and care, allowing our residents’ families to rest easy. We are committed not only to their safety, but we also offer a wide variety of activities and amenities so that they can live active, vibrant, and full lives in our facilities. Contact us at 214.227.7182 today to give your senior parent the quality care that they deserve.
What Causes a Senior to Fall?
When your senior parent takes a fall, it is normal for everyone to feel a little scared, even if it doesn’t result in any serious injury. However, a fall can be a warning sign as falling once increases the chance of another fall in the future. In order to put a plan in place to prevent this from happening, it is important to understand what caused the initial fall. A few contributing factors may be:
- Hazards such as clutter, uneven surfaces, or even ill-fitting shoes
- Dehydration or a lack of calcium and vitamin D
- Medications that may have side effects that cause them to feel dizzy or confused
- Problems with gait which may be caused by age-related loss of flexibility and muscle-mass
- A decline in hearing, eyesight, or reflexes
- Issues in the vestibular system, which regulates balance
- Problems with blood pressure can cause an elderly adult to feel light-headed when they stand up
- An undiagnosed medical issue that affects the heart, circulation, or brain
Once the cause of the fall has been identified, steps can be taken in order to prevent it from happening again.
What to Do After a Senior Falls
While it may be easy to panic when your loved one takes a fall, it is important to be proactive so that the risk of another fall becomes minimized. Here’s what to do after a senior falls:
- Take the first fall seriously. Make sure that your elderly loved one did not get injured in the fall. Notify their primary care physician so that they can be monitored for signs of trauma.
- Meticulously inspect and maintain your elderly loved one’s residence so that future falls are prevented. If their current place of residence has fall hazards, consider moving them to a safer living situation.
- Encourage them to become more physically active. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can lead to muscle loss and poor balance. Have them join exercise groups for seniors, such as yoga or walking.
- Discuss their medications with their physician so that the dosage may be adjusted if necessary. Ensure that directions for intake are followed carefully in order to minimize the risk of adverse side effects, such as vertigo and lightheadedness, that may cause falls.
- Ensure that they are eating nutritious, well-balanced meals that promote good bone and muscle health.
- Assess if they would need a caregiver in order to assist them with daily tasks such as bathing or dressing up.
Once you take stock of their current living situation, you can assess what the next step should be. In certain situations, it may be safer, more convenient, and more cost-effective to explore moving your elderly loved one into a senior living community.
Get Peace of Mind with Senior Living at Buckner Retirement Services
Buckner’s luxury senior facilities offer round-the-clock care, daily assistance, and even nutrition services for our senior residents. In the event of any mishaps, on-site medical staff can immediately attend to their needs. Peace of mind is possible when your senior loved one joins our retirement community. Contact us at 214.227.7182 today to book an appointment.