Most seniors in Columbus have worked on their homes for years, and they’re rightly proud of them. However, as they age, those same homes may no longer meet their everyday needs. That’s why most falls occur in the home. In addition to physical concerns, this can lead to a sense of constant anxiety that makes it harder to participate in everyday life.
The good news is, there are some fantastic resources right here in Columbus to help reduce seniors’ fall risk and help them feel more at ease at home. Here are some of our favorite ways to help protect seniors in Columbus from falling.
Ways Seniors in Columbus can Reduce Falls
From exercise classes to contractors specializing in senior-friendly home modifications, there are plenty of resources for seniors in Columbus to help reduce their risk of falling. Here are some of the best options:
- Improve Balance the Fun Way
As people age, they tend to lose balance and coordination, making them more prone to falls. In addition to the potential for injury, this can also lead many seniors to stop participating in activities they love out of fear.
However, getting the right kinds of exercise on a regular basis can help seniors rebuild and maintain stability and physical awareness. Over time, they may even gain back some lost confidence.
Many seniors struggle to find the motivation to exercise because they find solo workouts repetitive and boring. That’s why it’s a great idea to look into exercise classes like those at the Blendon Township Senior Center: They turn exercise from a chore to a social occasion your loved one can look forward to each week. In addition to a specialized balance and stability class, the Senior Center also offers a variety of fun physical activities like line dancing and chair volleyball.
- Fix Common Tripping Hazards
House issues like loose railings and uneven flooring aren’t just inconveniences for seniors; they’re serious tripping hazards. However, simply removing them can go a long way toward preventing falls.
In fact, one study showed that modifying seniors’ homes to better meet their physical needs can significantly reduce their fall risk. There’s no particular protocol for what needs to be changed; rather, it’s best to make fixes and adjustments that address your loved one’s particular challenges. For example, widening doorways and smoothing thresholds can accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, while running lights can make hallways safer to navigate at night.
We’re very lucky to have a team of experts who know just how to help seniors in Columbus. House Doctors is more than just a handyman service. They specialize in home modifications to make seniors’ houses work for them. Home Doctors won’t just follow a checklist: They’ll listen to your loved one’s needs and work with you to find a set of modifications that will make their home somewhere they can thrive.
- Help Them Tidy Up
Many seniors living alone face a dilemma. On one hand, floor clutter like shoes and pet toys can pose a tripping hazard, especially at night. On the other hand, tidying the floor often requires bending down to pick up objects, making it a risky task to undertake.
Just a little bit of help can go a long way to improving safety here. A professional caregiver can handle light everyday tidying, but they always focus on seniors’ most direct needs. If your loved one needs help cleaning the house, we highly recommend a visit from Merry Maids.
In addition to keeping the home free of clutter and tripping hazards, they can also handle difficult cleaning tasks that seniors might not be able to do on their own. This can include tasks that are hazardous with mobility and balance issues, like mopping or dusting high shelves.
- Keep Outdoor Walkways Clear
Tripping hazards outside the home are just as important to handle as inside it. While they’re a little more avoidable on a day-to-day basis, outdoor hazards like undergrowth, snow and ice tend to be significantly more dangerous.
Not only do outdoor tripping hazards pose a greater danger than indoor ones, they can also be treacherous to deal with. Clearing them typically requires heavier equipment that seniors may struggle to use safely, as well as vigorous, repetitive movements that can be hard on the body, like shoveling snow.
For help keeping outdoor walkways free of ice and brambles, we recommend calling Landscaping 365. They offer year-round assistance to ensure your loved one’s walkways remain safe and beautiful.
Find a Partner for Fall Prevention
Your loved one shouldn’t have to live in fear of falling. Fortunately, with the resources available in Columbus, they don’t have to. From practical assistance with chores to permanent home improvements, there are plenty of local options to reduce their fall risk.
If your loved one could use a little extra help getting around, a caregiver from FirstLight Home Care of Franklin County can help. Our compassionate, capable caregivers can help them get around the house, step outside or go anywhere they might need. They can even handle light housekeeping tasks like clearing walkways of tripping hazards.
Want to learn more about your care options? Contact us today.
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