To prevent older adults from falling for severe fractures, it may be necessary to make some adjustments in the home, eliminating hazards and making the parts safer, for this it is recommended to remove carpets or place support bars in the bathroom, to facilitate bathing and grooming. use, for example.
It is important to adapt the home to the needs of the elderly because from the age of 70 they may have difficulty walking, due to joint pains, lack of muscle mass or loss of balance, in addition to having difficulty seeing or even being confused and therefore it is important to eliminate all dangers inside and outside the home to make the environment safer.
- The safest home for the elderly is the one that has a single level.
- Because it facilitates movement between all rooms and also the entrance and exit.
- Reducing the risk of falls.
Some of the adjustments to be made at the nursing home include
In the case of the nursing home with stairs, these should be low and it is important to place handrails on both sides of the stairs, in addition to painting the steps with a bright color and placing a non-slip floor to prevent the elderly However, in some cases it may be necessary to lower an elevator down the stairs.
The eldest person’s bathroom should be large, carpetless and have only one low cabinet with essentials such as towels and hygiene products.
You should opt for a shower instead of a bathtub, where it is possible to fit in a wheelchair, place a very firm plastic seat or install support bars so that the elderly can hold on during the bath.
The older person’s room must have a bed with a firm mattress and, in some cases, it may be necessary to choose a bar bed to avoid falling at night. The items most commonly used by the elderly, such as glasses, medicines or the phone, should also always be at hand, for example on the bedside table. In addition, it is important that the room is well lit, with a night light on at night, if the room is too dark.
Outside the older person’s home can also jeopardize the safety of the eldest person and cause the eldest person to fall or injury and, for this reason, should be:
It is important to note that all of these measures are a way to prevent injuries to the elderly, prevent fractures or head injuries, and adaptations should be made based on the opportunities of the elderly and the family.
For other strategies to prevent older adults from falling, read: How to Prevent Falls in the Elderly.