Fall-Proof Your Home: Essential Safety Tips to Protect Your Loved Elderly
- Some adaptations are important to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of older people
- As the population ages, ensuring safety in the home environment is becoming an increasingly relevant issue for family members and carers.
- Therefore, promoting the adaptation of the house is a fundamental step to avoid accidents.
Edicase Brazil
Some adaptations are important to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of older people
Published on November 5, 2024 at 4:36 pm
It is important to take steps to prevent older people from falling Credit: Image: Robert Kneschke | Shutterstock
As the population ages, ensuring safety in the home environment is becoming an increasingly relevant issue for family members and carers. According to the Ministry of Health, 70% of falls-related accidents in individuals over the age of 65 occur at home. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among the elderly.
Therefore, promoting the adaptation of the house is a fundamental step to avoid accidents. In a ready home, the elderly can enjoy their independence with fewer worries, while family members have the peace of mind of knowing they are preventing dangerous situations.
Effects of falls on the elderly
The consequences of falling can be serious, from pain, bruises and even severe neurological symptoms, as a result of impacts to the head – or death, like that of singer Agnaldo Rayol. It is essential to highlight the fact that bone fractures, particularly of the femur, are closely linked to osteoporosis, a common condition in the elderly due to bone fragility associated with ageing.
“Such incidents often lead to hospitalization, surgery and, unfortunately, increase the mortality rate. Furthermore, patients’ quality of life can be significantly reduced after a fracture, as they often need constant support”, explains Dr. Carolina Aguiar Moreira, endocrinologist at the Brazilian Association for Bone Assessment and Osteometabolism (ABRASSO).
Regular physical activity contributes to improving balance and muscular endurance in elderly people, helping to prevent falls (Image: ALPA PROD | Shutterstock) Credit:
Preventing falls in the elderly
To prevent falls, it is essential to adopt a series of precautions at home. “Simple measures can be adopted to avoid domestic accidents. We recognize that older people are particularly vulnerable to falls due to challenges such as imbalances and muscle diseases associated with advanced age”, said the doctor.
Firstly, it is recommended to remove slippery rugs, especially those placed in walk-through areas, to avoid tripping. Slippery surfaces, such as bathroom floors, should have grab bars to give older people stability. When using stairs, you are advised to go up and down slowly, holding the handrail firmly. Keeping a night light on can be useful to avoid accidents when getting up at night.
“A crucial guideline is to advise elderly people to avoid climbing benches, stairs or chairs to reach high objects. This scenario is often associated with serious falls, particularly femur fractures, due to the height of the fall. It is important to highlight the fact that the majority of falls occur at home, further emphasizing the importance of this preventive care”, said Dr. Carolina Aguiar Moreira.
In addition to safety measures at home, it is essential to promote regular physical activity among the elderly, as it strengthens the muscles and improves balance, thereby contributing to the prevention of falls.