Keeping Your Loved Ones on Their Feet

By Donna Stark

With social distancing measures still being in place, many elderly adults are left to fend for themselves. If the ones in your life are healthy and strong, you may not be as worried as you would be for those who require daily assistance, but that doesn't mean accidents still can't happen. Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of injuries among the elderly and unfortunately, they can happen to anybody, even your very healthy, strong, and capable family members Fortunately, there are several things that can be done to ensure their safety. Keep reading and then help them incorporate the following recommendations into their daily lifestyle.

Encourage Daily Exercise

Muscle weakness is a huge contributor to falls among the elderly population, so it's important that your loved ones are encouraged to exercise every day. Walking, swimming, yoga, and tai chi are good examples of low-impact exercises that help to maintain strength while also improving balance, stability, and coordination.

Remove Floor Hazards

Make sure your loved ones living environment is safe and clutter-free. Check the cleanliness of their floors routinely and make sure that pathways are free and clear of potential tripping hazards. Keep an eye out for electrical cords, shoes, books, plants, baskets ... really, anything that could be struck by a foot. Also, be sure to tack down loose rugs as well.

Provide Assistance

Encourage your loved ones to use assistive devices if needed. If they are unsteady on their feet, a cane or walker can be of great help, and if they have trouble getting out of their chairs, consider investing in a lift chair for them. Also, make sure that every staircase has rails and that the bathroom is properly equipped with grab bars.

Give Them Light

None of the preventative steps above will help if your loved ones can't see a thing, so make sure that their home has enough light. Double-check the ease and function of light switches, add nightlights to pathways, staircases, and bathrooms, and increase their lighting outdoors.  

Have Them Examined

From poor balance to impaired depth perception to blurry vision, health conditions such as hearing loss, glaucoma, and cataracts can lead to a host of issues that may increase the risk of falls. It is vital that your loved ones have their hearing and vision checked regularly if any of these issues pop up.

Keeping Your Loved Ones on Their Feet

Taking precautionary measures like those listed above can help ensure that your loved ones are living as safely as possible. And when you can't be by their side as often as you would like, that can make a world of difference for everyone involved!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sandy Springs, Ga.