Much of the causes of falls in the elderly can be preventable, and for that it is necessary to make small changes in the person's lifestyle, such as wearing non-slip shoes and making adaptations in the house, such as having good lighting, for example.
Generally, the main risk factor for falls in old age is aging, which is when the greatest loss of muscle mass occurs, there is an imbalance and visual difficulties. The use of inappropriate shoes and clothes, a sedentary lifestyle and the presence of objects and steps around the house also contribute to increase the occurrence of falls and, therefore, it is important to adore some measures to avoid them.
The main steps to prevent falls are:
- Wear closed shoes, well adapted to the foot and with non-slip sole, avoiding walking barefoot or with slippers; Do not wear long or loose clothing to avoid tripping; Do physical activity and stretching exercises every week to keep your bones and muscles active. Know some exercises in: Physical activity for the elderly. Maintain a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, to prevent weakening of bones and osteoporosis; Go to the ophthalmologist at least once a year to adjust the degree of the glasses; Make adaptations in the house to facilitate the mobility of the elderly, such as maintaining good lighting, avoiding carpets and objects on the floor, in addition to using support bars in strategic places, such as the bathroom and beside the bed.
In addition, other situations, such as the use of drugs, the presence of multiple diseases and mental confusion, common situations in this stage of life, contribute to the occurrence of falls, and it is important to identify these situations. Find out what are the main causes and consequences of falls in the elderly.
Fall prevention physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is important for training and recovery of agility, strength and balance, especially in the elderly who already have some type of limitation for locomotion, usually caused by diseases, such as osteoarthritis, or after they have already suffered a fall.
In addition, physical activities are also recommended to prevent falls, as they are useful for the preservation of muscle strength and motor coordination, and some of the most suitable exercises are tai-chi , brisk walking and weight training.
Water exercises, such as hydrotherapy, swimming or water aerobics, are also highly recommended, as they offer the benefits of any activity, but without straining the muscles and joints.
How to prepare the home of the elderly
To avoid the occurrence of falls it is important to make changes in all rooms of the elderly's home, in order to make the home safer. They include:
- Light the house well: it is essential that the various rooms are well lit and that there is a night light in the room at night; Keep the space of the house ample: it is important to remove furniture, carpets and objects, such as vases, that hinder the person's movement. In addition, it is important to attach the appliance wires to the wall and, if possible, to a non-slip floor, especially in the kitchen and bathroom; Keep objects within reach of the elderly: all objects must be kept within reach, such as light switches, as well as not using the highest part of cabinets. Using supports: it is important to put safety bars in the house, for example inside the box, which give more balance to the elderly. Some elderly people with difficulty walking may need support such as walking sticks or walkers, as a way to have more safety in locomotion; Pay attention to the steps, which should be avoided, but if this is not possible, it is important to put non-slip strips and paint them with flashy colors and by handrails to give better support.
In some cases, for the home to be safe for the elderly, it may be necessary to replace the stairs with a ramp. See more about how the home is adapted for the elderly
