Basic Safety Practices to Do When a Senior Loved One Falls Down

1. Basic Safety Practices to Do When a Senior Loved One Falls Down www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au

2. Falls are common among seniors, and many family caregivers know how terrifying they can be. However, the occurrence of a fall frequently leaves family members wondering how to assist a senior loved one to get back on their feet safely. Unfortunately, a startled family caregiver is very likely to worsen a situation when attempting to lift a senior after a fall immediately. Depending on the accident’s severity, this can have long-term effects on your loved one’s physical health. Taking matters into your own hands while panicking can put their lives in danger, especially if you mishandle the situation.

3. What To Do When a Senior Loved One Falls Down If a senior falls down while you’re around, it’s critical to remain calm and urge them to do so as well. Take note that panicking won’t help alleviate the situation. Here are some basic safety tips to keep in mind: ● Before attempting to move them, wait until the shock has faded away. It’s also crucial to immediately figure out what caused the fall so you can eliminate other risk factors. You don’t want to injure yourself as well, so make sure that the accident area is safe before moving further to help. ● If you’re worried about a potential dislocation, fracture, or sprain, or if they’re complaining about head, neck, or back pain, it would be best to keep them in position and call an ambulance right away. You should only move them if you are sure it is safe to do so since you do not want to worsen any life-threatening injuries. ● If they aren’t seriously injured and want to get up, support the lift carefully. If they get stuck, feel discomfort, or become too exhausted to continue, then stop at any moment. Pay close attention to your loved one’s effort to get back up. Your job is to assist them in getting back up to keep them stable, not to lift their entire weight. If they are unable to do so, call for emergency assistance.

4. Post-Fall Interventions You Can Do Seniors generally perceive falls as unpleasant signs of their approaching dependency on others for support. However, according to studies, falling twice increases a senior’s risk of falling again. When happening regularly, falls can signify an underlying condition that requires medical care and should not be disregarded. Frequent falls raise the likelihood of sustaining a fall-related injury, such as a fractured hip or a concussion, and sometimes cause seniors to restrict their daily activities out of fear. RELATED:Balance Exercises for Seniors: Prevent Falls and Injuries Furthermore, you can strengthen home safety precautions if you are aware of this issue. If falls are becoming more common, that is a critical factor to take seriously. Small changes, including decluttering, installing grab bars, utilising mobility assistance, changing prescription drugs, participating in physical therapy, and acquiring an emergency alarm for elderly care, can make a big impact. Are you thinking of utilising assistive care devices to support your senior loved ones while maintaining their independence? Get in touch with Tunstall Healthcare today to learn your options.