Worried Your Mother's Going To Fall? 6 Things You Can Do To Help

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Has your mother had a recent fall? Does she have poor balance or mobility issues? The risk of her falling isn't in your head - it's real.

Nearly one in three seniors over the age of 65 fall each year, and the risks increase with every passing day. Falls are the number one leading source of injuries and accidental deaths to seniors.

The good news is, falls are also the most preventable cause of injury and death. With a few simple preventative strategies it's been proven that you can dramatically reduce the risk of falling.

Reduce The Risk of Falling

EXERCISE

There are a ton of exercises and exercise programs you can suggest to your mother to help her improve her balance. Many balance exercise programs are offered at the local YMCA's and senior centers.

Regardless, perhaps the best thing you can do is help your mother stay active and get at least 30 minutes of exercise (could just be walking) a day:

  • Walking
  • Swimming
  • Stairs (with a railing)
  • Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Combination of squats, toe raises and lunges while holding onto a chair

HOME MODIFICATIONS

Sometimes homes just aren't senior friendly and can actually be the biggest cause of falls. Here are a few of our favorite home modification suggestions:

  • Install grab bars by each toilet, shower and bathtub
  • Add non slip bathmat inside and outside the shower
  • Ensure proper lighting in hallways and on stairways
  • Install railings on both sides of stairways
  • Remove area rugs (easy to trip on raised lips / edges)

CLOTHING

Believe it or not, there are many clothes that increase your mother's risk of falling. Here are just a few "fall" fashion tips:

  • Say goodbye to high heels
  • Make sure you wear slippers that wrap around your heel
  • Ensure footwear in the home adheres well to whatever floors you have and aren't slippery
  • Make sure robes and nightgowns are short enough that you won't trip on them
  • Consider shoes without laces

MEDICATIONS

Medications are a little under rated as far as how much they contribute toward the risk of falling. Most people are at risk for falling from medications when they try a new one or change doses. Use caution when taking medication:

  • Make sure your mother's medications aren't on the American Geriatrics Society list of high risk medications for seniors
  • If she feels dizzy, sleepy or unbalanced when taking her medications, notify her doctor immediately
  • Only take medications as prescribed

HEALTH REVIEW

There's no running away from it. As we age, our bodies change. Some of those changes increase the risk of falling. However, many medical interventions can overcome the risks of those changes, if we're proactive:

  • Get your mother's vision checked at least once a year, and adjust vision wear as appropriate
  • Get her hearing checked at least once per year, as hearing can affect balance
  • Go for annual check-ups to nip health issues in the bud
  • Address any health symptoms immediately with her doctor

PROTECTION

Your mother's risk of turning a minor fall into a major medical event can increase dramatically if she doesn't get help fast. Make it easy for her to call for help in the event of a fall, especially if she lives alone:

  • Get her a medical alert system she can wear around her neck or on her wrist at all times
  • Place a wall mounted medical alert help button in the shower
  • Get her an Alexa type digital assistant device she can use to call for help using her voice alone
  • Install a digital video camera in a non-private area of her home so you can monitor her home

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