There are many good reasons why older adults generally prefer to age in place. Not only is it cheaper than moving to an assisted living facility, it also allows them to retain the dignity and independence that comes with living in a home they’re proud of.
While it’s true that most senior falls occur at home, most of those falls are avoidable with the right preparations. From exercises designed to improve stability, assistance with cleaning up tripping hazards and the addition of permanent safety features to their home, there’s plenty you can do to make sure your loved one’s home really works for them. With your support, Goodyear seniors can move confidently about in their home without having to constantly worry about falling.
Top Tips to Prevent Falls for Seniors in Goodyear
Goodyear seniors have plenty of resources to help them avoid falls. From balance-building exercise classes to handyman services that can make their home better fit their needs, here are just a few of our favorites.
- Improve Balance to Reduce Fear of Falling
Physical exercise is one of the best ways for seniors to reduce their fall risk, and workouts built for the needs of older people are especially effective. If they struggle with strength loss, help them sign up for a strength-training class that targets stabilizing muscles. For reduced coordination, connect them with a movement class like yoga and dance that improves balance and body awareness. If their main barrier is pain due to conditions like arthritis, a gentle class like water aerobics or chair yoga may help.
Fortunately, Archwell Health hosts a variety of workouts for Goodyear seniors, like their chair-based Strength and Balance Class. The added stability of a chair gives older people a way to strengthen muscles that are otherwise hard to work without assuming uncomfortable or risky positions. Having an anchor can also reduce their fear of falling, making exercise a lot more approachable.
For an even greater range of senior exercise options, look into Sun Health Wellness. They offer a variety of group classes like Tai Chi, chair yoga and dance. Their in-person classes are a great way for your loved one to have fun and connect with others, and they also offer on-demand online classes if your loved one is traveling or has a scheduling conflict.
- Tidy Up Common Tripping Hazards
One of the reasons why many falls occur at home is that many older people’s homes just don’t serve their needs anymore. For example, reduced coordination changes dark hallways and cluttered floors from minor annoyances to genuine tripping hazards. Even if these hazards never result in a fall, they can still force seniors to stay on guard at all times, preventing them from ever really kicking back and appreciating the home they’re proud of.
Most of these issues are fixable with a little bit of work—but make sure to handle them for your loved one (or hire a trusted professional). Many of these tasks are fall risks for people with impaired balance.
- Start off by tidying up floors and clearing walkways of tripping hazards like shoes, pet toys and cleaning equipment.
- Next, go through the house and make any fixes you can. Tighten up loose railings, add reflective tape to the edges of stairways, and make sure all light bulbs are in good condition.
- Third, identify opportunities for real, permanent improvements that help your loved one’s home better meet their needs. You might be able to handle some changes yourself, like installing a grab bar in the bathroom. However, don’t be afraid to call for help from a trusted handyman for bigger jobs such as leveling out uneven flooring.
If you need help improving your loved one’s home to better meet their needs, we recommend reaching out to Zona Handyman Services or Do It All Handyman. Both are skilled and punctual, and Zona even offers a 10% discount to first responders and veterans!
- Stay on Top of Yard Work
Most falls happen at home, but that’s not limited to the inside. While we thankfully don’t have to worry much about winter weather here in Goodyear, overgrowth and lawn debris can still present a tripping hazard. That’s why it’s important to clear all walkways and keep up with yard work year-round.
Unfortunately, doing yard work also increases the risk of falling. From handling large outdoor tools to hauling yard waste out to the curb, caring for the lawn can be risky for people with impaired balance, strength or coordination. In most cases, it’s best to leave this chore to the professionals.
Next time your loved one’s yard starts getting overgrown, we recommend making a call to one of the many professional lawn care and landscaping services around Goodyear, such as Mike Services. With years of experience and hundreds of positive reviews, Mike Services is the most trustworthy name in lawn care in the Phoenix area.
Find a Partner for Fall Prevention
Fall prevention is always easier when you have someone to lean on—figuratively and literally. If your loved one needs help with stability and mobility, a caregiver from FirstLight Home Care of Goodyear can help. In addition to helping with dressing, bathing and meals, they can also clear walkways, perform some light housekeeping and give Goodyear seniors a strong shoulder to lean on.
Want to know more about how we can help your loved one go about their day with confidence? Contact us today.