As we age, our bodies become more vulnerable to injuries and accidents. Seniors are especially prone to certain types of injuries due to decreased mobility, impaired balance, and age-related health conditions. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls pose severe risks for seniors and affect their quality of life. Falls also generate personal economic costs. Senior fall statistics revealed that the cost of treating fall-related injuries is expected to reach over $101 billion by 2023.
The NCOA report also revealed that 60 percent of falls happen in the home. These falls can occur anywhere in a house, but a bathroom is typically dangerous for seniors, especially due to wet and slippery surfaces.
The key to helping your loved one stay safe is implementing the right strategies for fall prevention for seniors. When you know the most common injuries and understand what steps to take when they occur, you will be familiar with senior pain management and be prepared to keep your loved one safe.
Most Common Injuries & Fall Prevention for Seniors
The first step to senior fall detection is learning the most common injuries so you can modify the environment or your loved one’s lifestyle accordingly.
Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injuries among seniors. With age, balance and coordination tend to decline, making falls more common and potentially more severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four older adults falls yearly, resulting in fractures, head injuries, and other complications.
What To Do:
- Call for emergency medical assistance immediately if a senior falls and appears to be seriously injured.
- If the senior is conscious and can communicate, ask if they are experiencing pain or discomfort.
- Encourage the senior to stay still and avoid sudden movements that may exacerbate the injury.
- If the fall is minor and the senior seems uninjured, help them slowly get up and assess for any signs of pain or injury.
- Remove any tripping hazards in the area to prevent future falls.
Consider remodeling the bathroom to enhance safety in your home, as most falls occur in the bathroom. The key to successful bathroom remodeling for seniors is choosing the right products. Freedom Showers offers a range of accessible products that can help you enhance safety in every corner of the space.
Fractures
Fractures, particularly of the hip, wrist, and spine, are common among seniors. The decreased bone density associated with aging, often due to osteoporosis, makes bones more susceptible to fractures, even from minor falls or accidents.
What To Do:
- Do not attempt to move the injured person in case of a suspected fracture. Call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
- Help the person remain as comfortable as possible while waiting for medical help. Use pillows or blankets to provide support and cushioning.
- Avoid giving the person anything to eat or drink, as they may require surgery or anesthesia.
- Do not attempt to reset or realign the broken bone. Let medical professionals handle the situation to avoid further damage.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can have serious consequences, particularly for seniors with pre-existing health conditions or taking medications that affect blood clotting. Head injuries can result from falls, collisions, or other accidents.
What To Do:
- Call for emergency medical assistance immediately if a senior hits their head and experiences dizziness, confusion, severe headache, nausea, or loss of consciousness.
- Encourage the senior to stay still and avoid unnecessary movement that might worsen the injury.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the injured area to help reduce swelling while waiting for medical help.
- Monitor the person closely for any changes in their condition and report them to medical professionals upon arrival.
Often, head injuries result from falls due to lack of balance. Get your loved one familiar with physical activity to implement the best strategies for preventing falls in seniors. There are a few balance exercises for seniors that can help them strengthen their bodies and improve balance, reducing the risk of falls and head injuries.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries when ligaments, tendons, or muscles are stretched or torn. Seniors may experience these injuries while engaging in physical activities, such as walking, exercising, or household chores.
What To Do:
- Help the senior rest and avoid putting weight or strain on the injured area.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 24-48 hours.
- Elevate the injured limb, if possible, to help reduce swelling.
- If appropriate, consider using over-the-counter pain relievers following the recommended dosage guidelines.
Senior pain management can be different, as they face frailty with age. Talk to a medical professional for a stronger medication if your loved one is in extreme pain. You can also reduce the risk of sprains and strains by creating a safer environment at home.
Sometimes, sprains or strains occur when seniors engage in household chores or focus on hygiene. Installing grab bars for seniors in bathrooms and other areas of the home can help them complete their tasks without straining their bodies since they have proper support.
Bathroom Products for Preventing Falls in Seniors
The bathroom is a risky space for seniors, and it poses many risks, resulting in some of the most common injuries, such as falls, fractures, head injuries, and sprains. Consider adding the following Freedom Showers products to your bathroom to enhance safety.
Walk-in or Roll-in Shower
Choose a Freedom walk-in shower for seniors to prevent injuries by providing a safe and accessible bathing solution. Unlike traditional showers with high barriers, these specialized showers have low thresholds, allowing seniors to enter and exit easier reducing the chances of trips or falls.
The spacious design of walk-in or roll in showers for seniors also offers ample room for mobility aids, such as walkers or wheelchairs, making it easier for seniors with limited mobility to bathe independently.
Portable Shower
If your loved one is staying with you for a limited time, you don’t necessarily have to renovate your bathroom for their safety. Freedom Showers offers a convenient portable shower for seniors to boost safety in the bathroom without making a permanent change. The temporary portable shower stall takes a few minutes to set up, and it folds flat to less than 8 inches for convenient storage.
Shower Bench
When focusing on senior fall detection, you may find that many falls occur due to a lack of balance in the bathroom. Providing seating solutions, such as a shower bench for seniors, is a great way to reduce these risks. We carry a large selection of wall-mounted folding shower seats created with stainless steel frames and different styles of seat tops.
If you don’t have the space to replace your bathtub, you can still enhance safety in the bathroom with a bathtub bench for seniors that offers stability and greater independence in bathing.
Senior Fall Detection & Prevention
You may implement several senior fall detection strategies as you strive to keep your loved one safe at home. Once you have detected the potential risks, get familiar with the strategies above to modify your home and make aging in place simpler for your loved one.