Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of injury for seniors in Canada and the damaging repercussions that a fall can have on quality of life can be significant. Every year 1 in 3 seniors across the country are injured in a slip and fall accident which can impact their ability to sustain an independent lifestyle.
Taking preventative measures to avoid injuries from falls is often the most effective way to reduce the risk factors and dangers associated with falls. Seniors in the Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge area may benefit from home care assistance to establish a safer and more comfortable environment within their homes.
Increased age directly coincides with a more vulnerable state of health. This means experiencing a fall over the age of 65 will very likely have a more serious impact on health than it would on a middle-aged adult. Severe injuries can have lasting effects and compromise independence and the ability to carry out daily routines.
A fall in the home may result in physical injuries like head trauma, fractures, broken bones, sprains, cuts abrasions, and more. Recovering from a physical injury can be a long and strenuous road, and the older the individual injured, the longer and more demanding the healing process tends to be.
The problem with an injury sustained in a fall is that it often doesn’t end with the physical impact. A fall can be a frightening and traumatic event that can have lingering mental and emotional repercussions. For instance, it may induce greater feelings of anxiety and worry that another fall might occur, shattering self-confidence and feelings of security.
These feelings can discourage seniors from getting the exercise they need to maintain physical health. This can have a snowball effect leading to a more sedentary and isolated lifestyle which may end in severely impaired mobility or depression. That is why preventative measures to avoid fall injuries are crucial to avoid negatively impacting the physical and mental health of seniors in a significant way.
Establishing safe and healthy practices and safety measures around the home can help prevent seniors from sustaining slip and fall injuries. Being aware of the risk factors to detect vulnerabilities is a good way to implement an effective prevention plan.
Some appropriate risk factors to consider include:
Any of these things may contribute to an increased risk of falling and being injured. Getting ahead of possible problems before they occur helps reduce the risk of injury and improve overall health and wellbeing.
While falls are a real risk for seniors, it is important to always keep in mind that falls do not necessarily have to be an inevitable aspect of being older. Arrangements can be made to minimize risks as much as possible. Remaining aware of possible dangers, risk factors, and vulnerabilities is critical. Taking the required steps to attend to the environment as well as general state of health can help keep seniors feeling safer and more comfortable within their homes as they continue to live out their lives.
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