Arrange A Home Health Aide Who Teaches Fall Prevention For Your Loved One

27 July 2017
 Categories: , Blog

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Whether you have an elderly loved one with osteoporosis, vision problems, or other health issues, you may be highly concerned about the risk of him or her falling. Your concern is likely even higher if this family member lives at home, as he or she could potentially fall and not be able to make it to the phone to summon help. Hiring a home health worker to spend time with your loved one can calm your fears considerably, especially if the aide worker specializes in teaching fall prevention. Many home health agencies have aides trained in this topic, which makes them ideal for hiring to help your loved one. Here are some areas that the aide will work on.

Making The House Safer

When the home health aide visits your loved one's home, he or she will get busy identifying obstacles that could pose a tripping threat. Given that many falls take place within the home, it's imperative to make the home as safe as possible. This safety assessment will likely turn up a variety of issues that the aide can share with you and that you can deal with together. For example, the edge of a hallway rug can pose a tripping hazard. You can either think about removing the rug or using two-sided tape to secure the edges to the floor.

Improving Strength And Balance

The risk of falling isn't just related to the environment. When elderly people are shaky on their feet, they have a higher risk of falling. It's possible for your loved one to gain better balance with the help of the home health aide. This healthcare worker can teach a variety of balance and strengthening exercises to make your family member more confident while walking around. For example, if someone has minimal muscle mass, he or she may not have enough strength to catch himself or herself upon tripping. By strengthening key muscles, your loved one will be less apt to fall.

Reacting To Dizziness

Some elderly people suffer from frequent dizzy spells, but they may not know how to react quickly. Being dizzy can increase one's risk of falling, so the home health aide will talk to your loved one about reacting to being dizzy. There are numerous solutions to consider, including sitting down, grabbing something sturdy nearby, and even calling out to anyone else who may be in the house. When your family member has received this education, he or she will be less at risk of falling — and you'll feel less worried.

To learn more about in-home care services, contact a company like AT HOME WITH YOU.