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There are many ways to help promote healthy aging, including reducing falls and improving home safety. This Falls Prevention Awareness Day, learn how you can keep your loved ones safe.
In 2008, community leaders took initiative to bring senior health to the forefront by declaring the first week of each fall season to be Fall Prevention Awareness Week. Falling as a senior can result in more devastating and long-lasting consequences than it does for a youth, and can impair ability to continue on with a life of independence.
This year marks the 12th annual event of bringing awareness to ways of preventing the conditions which can lead up to experiencing a debilitating fall. This Falls Prevention Awareness Week, promote healthy aging with these 8 tips.
1. Be Mindful of Symptoms
There are many physical factors that can contribute to an incident of falling in seniors. It is important to stay aware of signs that our body may be giving us that it is time to take extra precautions. Eyesight and hearing loss can increase risk that we won’t notice hazards that are coming our way.
Difficulties in balance can turn normally simple tasks into a daredevil stunt. And decreasing bone density can mean that a short fall can turn into a long period of physical rehabilitation. Many of these noticeable symptoms can be a sign of underlying health conditions. Infections in the bladder or urinary tract, for instance, can cause symptoms of dizziness and decrease in motor skills.
2. Stay Active
Falls prevention can be improved with simple activity. One of the most important things that we can do for our aging bodies is to keep them moving. While we may not be able to pull off the physical feats that we did during our youth, keeping the body well-oiled through regular activity can help to avoid the unexpected strains, aches, and pains that seem to come from nowhere. Target activity levels for seniors include 2.5 hours a week of aerobic activity.
This is the type of activity that gets your heart pumping and encourages oxygen to move through the body. A brisk, daily, walk with your partner or pet can be a great source of exercise for those with high mobility. There are also a myriad of exercise videos available online, which can provide direction for increasing heart-rate right in your living room. For those lucky enough to have access to a pool, swimming is a great way to engage in low-impact cardio.
3. Insist on Efficient Doctor Visits
While some of us are fortunate to have a physician who really takes the time to explore our questions and complaints, many other patients can feel rushed and dismissed by a busy doctor. When arranging for a doctor visit, it is important that you or your loved one come prepared with a list of concerns to discuss.
As previously noted, there are many health factors which can contribute to frequent falling. Falls are not simply due to age. If your physician insists on writing off all of your uncomfortable experiences as a normal part of aging, seek a second opinion.
4. Practice Brain Health
As we grow older, many of us tend to recognize that our cognitive processing speeds are not as sharp as they once were. Retaining new information can become difficult, and retrieving stored information can become a chore. While it was once believed that our brains ceased the ability to change and grow after childhood, it is now understood that our brains remain flexible and open to new information throughout our lifespan.
Engaging in regular mental exercises such as puzzle solving and learning new skills can help to increase the focus and awareness necessary to avoid accidents. Getting adequate sleep also ensures that the brain has its full functioning powers available throughout the day.
5. Nurture Mental Health
Depression is a widespread issue in America. For seniors, depression can result from struggling with the unique scenarios that arise in later life. Chronic health issues, the passing of loved ones, and decreased ability to operate independently can all play a role in putting an older person at risk of developing depression.
Some of the symptoms of depression include inability to think clearly and lack of motivation to be physically active. Making sure to avoid the pitfall of depression through seeking mental health support can also make a difference in how well you are able to tend to your physical safety and improve falls prevention.
6. Be Prudent With Medication Management
While doctors help to make sure that we receive the medications we need, they are not with us 24/7. Sometimes, the medications that we are diligently taking may also be impeding our ability to remain clear headed and coordinated. If you notice changes in your physical or cognitive functioning after beginning a new medication or receiving an adjusted dosage, be sure to note these changes with your doctor.
7. Remove Hazards
An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure. In spite of all of our best efforts to keep yourself in top shape, there is always the possibility that an unexpected rug corner or wet floor surface can take us by surprise. Consider enlisting the help of a family member or professional when examining your house for fall hazards.
For falls prevention, make sure that loose edges of floor coverings are secured to the floor with rug tape, and that there is adequate walking space between pieces of furniture. Move dishes and cookware to lower shelves to avoid having to obtain items from over your head. Adding bathroom safety features such as a walk-in bath tub and hand rails can also be useful, as bathrooms are notorious for slip-and-fall incidents.
8. Stay Engaged in Community
There are studies which have shown that staying social is one of the best ways that older adults can ensure that they are staying healthy. While the science behind the positive effects of socialization is not entirely known, elders who stay engaged in community report less instances of physical and mental health problems.
Humans are social creatures, and we tend to gain a sense of fulfillment from knowing that we are enjoyed and needed by others. Staying involved in local community groups and activities is a great way to improve overall physical, mental, and emotional health.
