Fall risk is one of the greatest dangers that elderly adults face. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that millions of adults over the age of 64 throughout the United States suffer from falls each year. Of these, approximately 1 in 5 will experience serious injuries that result in the need for hospitalization, including nearly 3 million who end up in the emergency room to receive treatment for their injuries.

These statistics are staggering for anyone, but for you, as a family caregiver, they illustrate just how important it is for you to take any steps that you can to reduce the risk that they will suffer these potentially catastrophic accidents. While there are many ways that you can do this by helping them to improve their physical health and by modifying their home environment, one step that you might not immediately think of is talking to their doctor.

Talking to your senior’s doctor about their fall risk and what you can do to help reduce it can make a tremendous difference in their safety and the risk that they face, helping them to stay stronger and healthier as they age in place. Some of the issues that you should discuss with their doctor include:

• How their current health issues or challenges impact their fall health and what you can do to help them manage these issues in such a way that it reduces their risk.
• What medications they are currently taking and if any of them have side effects that might increase the risk that they will fall, such as dizziness.
• How you can help your parent manage their side effects to keep them safer, or if they should be taking different medications.
• What types of exercises your parent can do to strengthen their body and keep them more stable.
• Dietary changes that you can make in your care routine to reduce their risk, including keeping them more hydrated.

Starting home care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the course of your caregiver journey with them. An in-home senior care services provider can be in the home with your senior family member on a customized schedule that ensures that they get all the care, assistance, and support that they need, while also keeping you at the front of their care routine.

You can feel confident that your loved one will be able to pursue a lifestyle that is safe, healthy, and comfortable while also maintaining as much independence and fulfillment as possible. When it comes to protecting your parent from falls, this home care provider can help to identify potential hazards in the home and their routine and provide assistance and support during daily activities to address challenges and limitations so that they are able to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of these falls.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Highland Park, Texas, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today at (214) 865-7870.