Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors in Lincolnton, NC

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults over 65. Over 14 million seniors report falling every year, and this leads to injuries and other unnecessary costs. Not to mention, it can also lead to future health issues.

Getting yourself into a senior living community in Lincolnton, NC, can help immensely with fall risk reduction already. However, there are still additional things that you can do to help stay safe and secure.

This article will go over slip, trip, and fall prevention tips that seniors can easily put into action.

Start With "Know Your Personal Risk"

While older adults are more prone to falling, everyone's fall risk is different. So before you start strategizing for injury prevention for seniors, you should first sit down and determine your specific risk factors.

For example, they can be:

Prior falls
Dizziness
Foot pain
Diabetes/neuropathy
Parkinson's
Stroke
Vision/hearing changes

It can be beneficial to keep a fall diary for a few weeks. In it, you should note:

Times you felt unsteady
Where these situations happened
What you were doing

You may notice patterns (like rushing to the bathroom in the middle of the night). These can point to simple fixes you can control.

Keep a Clear and Consistent Walking Path in Living Spaces

Part of senior safety in Liconlton, NC, is looking after your personal space. The apartment design should already be suited to senior living, with large and open areas that not only make things safer but also easier to personalize.

With that said, you might've personalized a little too much. Take another look at your furniture arrangement and reconfigure things if needed. Ensure there's a straight path from your bed to the bathroom, and then to the chair.

Remove the following from walkways:

Clutter
Small tables
Plant stands
Baskets

Things like your TV remote, phone, call button, water, and tissues should be placed within easy reach so you don't have to "just lean over" to get them.

Choose Good Footwear

One of the best assisted living mobility tips we have for you is to choose good footwear.

Here are the features you should look for:

Closed back
Low heel
Firm heel support
Slip-resistant rubber soles
Wide toe box
Fastening that's easy for your hands (e.g., Velcro or elastic laces)

On the other hand, you should avoid the following:

Backless slippers
Floppy shoes
Slick leather soles

Ensure There's Good Lighting

Good lighting is key to preventing slips, trips, and falls. If you don't already have them, consider adding plug-in motion nightlights to the route from your bed to the bathroom.

In case of power outages, keep a small flashlight by your bed. And before you stand up in the night, make it a habit to turn the light on before doing so.

Partner With Doctors on Medication Side Effects

Unfortunately, many common medications may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or drops in blood pressure. They include:

Sleep aids
Anxiety medications
Some pain medicines
Blood pressure pills
Diabetes medications

To be proactive about your health, ask your doctor for a fall-risk medication review at least twice a year. There may be simple tweaks that can reduce nighttime rushing, such as moving diuretics to earlier in the day. With that said, never change doses without first consulting your doctor.

Take Action Against Orthostatic Dizziness

Do you often feel woozy when you stand? This may be due to orthostatic hypotension.

An easy way to take action against orthostatic dizziness is to do these steps:

Before getting up, pump your ankles ten to 20 times and take a few slow breaths
Sit up, pause, and count to ten
Stand, hold on, and count to ten again before walking

Keep Up With Vision and Hearing Checks

Seeing and hearing at your best is essential for fall prevention.

If you need reading glasses, then wear them; regardless of the types of glasses you wear, keep the lenses clean. Ask about single-vision distance glasses just for walking if you wear multifocals/progressive lenses, as these can blur steps and curbs. In addition, schedule routine eye checks.

Those who wear hearing aids should keep them charged and fitted, as hearing affects balance, too.

Use Mobility Aids the Right Way

It's not as simple as buying and using them if you need mobility aids. They need to fit you as well. When you hold the handles of a cane or walker, your elbows should bend slightly.

Also, keep an eye on the condition of your mobility aids. Check that the brakes on rollators hold firmly, and replace worn-down canes or walker tips.

When walking around, don't carry items in your hands. Instead, add a lightweight bag or tray.

Build Balance and Strength a Little Every Day

It's vital that you keep up with your body strength. Not only can this decrease your risk of falls, but it can also help you maintain independence.

Just twice a day, and for five to ten minutes each session, you can do these exercises:

Sit-to-stands from a sturdy chair
Heel raises while holding the counter
Marching in place with light support
Standing balance

Practice Your Fall Plan

No matter how prepared you are, it's very likely that you may still slip, trip, and fall. Part of memory care safety programs is practicing your fall plan, so you're ready in case of emergencies.

Here's a quick plan you can follow and practice.

Don't panic; take a breath and do a quick body scan. If you're unhurt, you can rise by:

Rolling onto your side
Getting on your hands and knees
Crawling to a sturdy surface and using it to stand

If you're hurt, call for help with a pendant, call button, or phone. Stay warm, and wait.

Practice Good Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention

Having a solid slip, trip, and fall prevention plan can really help you avoid painful situations. You're in your golden years, after all, and you deserve to live life fully without any setbacks.

So be proactive in looking after both yourself and your living space. It'll pay off when you can retain your independence!

At TerraBella Lincolnton, we provide housekeeping and maintenance for our residents so they can lead stress-free lives. Get in touch with us today to find out more about senior living in Lincolnton, NC.