Better Healthcare Services / News
A fall typically has a much more serious effect on older people due to ageing bones and body weakness. If you believe that a loved one has an increased risk of a falling, learn the preventative measures that may reduce the risk as well as what to do in the event of a fall.
Statistics illustrate that falls are common incidents for the elderly. According to NHS.uk, 1 in 3 over 65-year-olds living at home will have a minimum of one fall per year. The Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) shows that there were roughly 220,160 emergency fall-related hospital admissions among patients aged 65 and over in the 2017 to 2018 period.
At Better Healthcare Service, we understand your concern for your loved one’s health and wellbeing. Our compassionate care workers support the vulnerable elderly in their homes to help them avoid facing such incidents. While several factors contribute to the risk of falls, there are also methods that can be employed to reduce the risk.
In this article, we outline:
If you would like to know more about how we can help, call us on 0800 668 1234. Or get in touch with your local Better Healthcare Services office.
Numerous factors contribute to the risk of falls at home for the senior population. Older people are more likely to experience a fall due to:
Everyone has fallen over at some point in their life, and often, it’s a simple case of just getting back up again without injury. However, for some senior adults, the implications of falling can be more severe. Fall-related injuries include:
The danger of falls should not be overlooked. While it’s crucial to know what to do if someone falls, it’s better if the risk of falling could be mitigated.
Falls are often a combination of various risk factors. Luckily, it is possible to reduce the risk with the following simple changes:
It can be quite overwhelming and stressful to find a loved one injured from a fall, but it’s vital that you remain calm. It’s also important that you keep the injured person calm. Find out if they are strong enough to stand on their own; if they can, make sure they get up slowly.
The best way for a person to get back on their feet is to get on to their hands and knees first. Encourage them to use a nearby stable piece of furniture – such as a chair or bed – as support as they get back on their feet. Once they’re up, encourage them to sit down and rest in a comfortable position for as long as they need. Dial 999 for emergency services if you are concerned about their wellbeing.
In the situation where the senior person is unable to get up, call the emergency services immediately. It’s important that they stay warm; a blanket or dressing gown are suitable items and should cover the legs and feet. Try not to lift them yourselves as that is dangerous for both you and your injured loved one.
The NHS.uk website has further information on what to do after an accident.
If your senior loved one suffers a fall while no one is around to help, there are a few useful devices that may help.
If a previous fall resulted in a serious injury that has left you temporarily or permanently dependant, contact Better Healthcare Services. Our carers can make visits to your home to carry out everyday tasks and make sure everything is in order. We can help to prevent falls by assisting with tasks like:
It’s normal to worry about having another fall, but with a live-in care worker or home care worker, you will have professional help at hand.
To get post-fall assistance from people who are passionate about the work they do, call Better Healthcare Services today on 0800 668 1234. Alternatively, get in touch with your local office directly.
If you found this interesting, take a look at these related articles:
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. See our Privacy Policy for more details.