The Number One Safety Issue Facing Seniors Today

Elder Care in Herndon VA

There are so many safety issues facing seniors today that it’s difficult to figure out which one is the most pressing. While we won’t talk about too many, we will focus on slip and fall accidents.

The risk of slipping and falling is not just the number one safety issues for seniors, it’s also one of the most preventable. Below are several aspects to these risk factors that, when viewed rationally, can be seen as something to avoid.

Slipping and falling.

The simple act of slipping can happen to just about anyone. When you step outside in the winter, you may be exposed to an icy condition. This is especially true for those who live in the northern portion of the country. However, slipping is not isolated to outdoor conditions.

Certain floor surfaces, including linoleum and ceramic tile, can become extremely slick when wet. That means it’s something to focus on in the bathroom and around the kitchen sink. If you have access to nonslip mats or other pads, use them.

Tripping.

If the senior leaves something on the floor and intends to pick up later on, they might forget all about it. They walk down the hall, go to take a nap, watch a television program, read, do the crossword puzzle, or anything else, and when they go to return, if they are not paying close attention, they could hit that item with their foot.

Because a person loses strength each passing year as they get older, especially when they reach their 60s, 70s, or 80s, they may not be able to recover before they fall down. The risk of serious injury increases when a person falls hard to the ground.

Chairs and stepladders.

If the senior has to get something from a cabinet, high up in a closet, or somewhere else where they would normally need a stepladder, if they have balance related problems, that simple act can put them at risk.

If they lose their balance while standing on a chair or step ladder, they might not be able to grab onto something to keep themselves from falling. If they fall from that height, it’s even worse than if they just tripped over a box.

Keep in mind that bones become more brittle as people get older and their ability to recover from serious injuries decreases. It’s best not to put anyone in that situation. Focus on potential tripping and slipping hazards and address them and correct them as quickly as possible.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Herndon, VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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