When a senior person has a fall, not only can it lead to physical trauma, but it can also have mental and emotional repercussions. The physical injuries on top of the loss of confidence and rise in fear and anxiety can leave elderly individuals feeling unsafe and vulnerable in their own homes, impacting their wellbeing and quality of life. Senior help at home services can provide physical and mental support to elderly people who have suffered a fall, standing at their side as they recuperate and get back on their feet, while facing new challenges.
The Increased Risk of Falls
There are various factors that can contribute to an elderly person’s increased risk of falling; for example, muscle weakening and a loss of balance, medical conditions that impact mobility like Parkinson’s or arthritis, medications with side effects such as dizziness, and vision impairments like cataracts. It’s also important to consider environmental factors like tripping over furniture or rugs, slippery flooring materials, and poor lighting impacting sight.
The Physical and Mental Effects of a Fall
Having a fall can impact elderly people physically and mentally:
- Physical injuries can range from minor bruises to severe bone breaks and trauma
- Heightened sense of fear and anxiety after having a fall for worry it will happen again
- A loss of or reduced mobility due to injuries or emotional trauma
- The sense of losing independence and feeling like a burden for relying on family, friends or carers during recovery
The Benefits of In-Home Help for Seniors Help After a Fall
Getting professional help for seniors living at home after a fall can have some fantastic physical and mental benefits:
Transition from Hospital
If your loved one has had a hospital stay due to their fall, returning back home and living independently once again can be a shock, especially having had access to 24-hour help in the hospital. In-home senior help can bridge the gap between a hospital stay and living alone. Professional carers are on hand to support their clients with flexible care plans that account for their medical needs, lifestyle and preferences. This can help elderly individuals transition from the hospital environment and enjoy being back at home with the fear of losing all the care and assistance.
Helping with Daily Activities
Completing daily activities may become much more difficult after a fall, especially with more severe injuries. Helping seniors at home can include tasks like washing, dressing and grooming, household maintenance, running errands, meal preparation, and helping organise and administer medications. Getting assistance with these tasks can help seniors keep their routines and comforts without the stress of doing everything themselves. Home help carers can also help facilitate social interaction, whether it’s conversations over lunch or getting clients out and about to enjoy their hobbies and meet friends, family and new people.
Physiotherapy
If physiotherapy is necessary after a fall to help repair an injury and strengthen the body, home help carers can be of assistance. Carers can ensure that their elderly clients attend their physiotherapy appointments or conduct sessions at home, not only helping with the physical aspect but also providing encouragement to help clients focus and overcome obstacles.
Emotional Support and Rebuilding Confidence at Home
Feelings of anxiety, fear and embarrassment can occur after a fall and result in a loss of confidence. Help at home for seniors looks to help rebuild this confidence so that seniors can return to the mindset of their homes being places of comfort and safety. Carers can offer emotional support, listening to fears and worries and validating experiences while encouraging a more positive outlook. Having a friendly face and caring presence can help seniors to begin to trust themselves and their abilities.
Preventing Future Falls
After a fall, it’s important to determine areas of the house that present a danger so that the risk of falling again is reduced. Carers can identify areas and factors that may contribute to fall risks and make suggestions for improvements, for example, installing grab rails and mobility aids such as stair lifts, ensuring there is proper lighting, that loose rugs are kept down, and rearranging furniture for easier and safer navigation, or making the bathroom more accessible with additions like walk-in baths, floor-level showers, and non-slip flooring. Solutions like this provide help for seniors to stay in their homes.
Beloved Homecare’s Home Help for Seniors
Here at Beloved Homecare, we offer help in the home for seniors, helping with domestic and personal care, as well as more intense care services such as 24-hour care, dementia care and end-of-life care.
Our senior home help services are offered across a wide array of locations – Altrincham, Urmston, Sale, Davyhulme, Flixton, Hale, Timperly, Bowdon, Stretford, Chorlton, Didsbury, Broadheath, Wythenshawe, Ashton on Mersey, or South Manchester. We’ll be sure to personalise care plans, and you can expect our friendly, trained, and DBS-checked staff to perform our care services with professionalism, efficiency and compassion.
To learn more about our services or to get in touch with our team, please visit our website.