The risk of falling is one of the biggest concerns for many seniors for a variety of reasons. Falls are also quite common, as seniors may develop mobility issues, vision loss, or reduced environmental awareness.
Not only can falls be a serious concern, they can create a significant health risk for seniors, especially if they already have health issues. Here, we explore common fall prevention measures that most Exton, PA memory care communities should have in place.
Senior-Friendly Design
The risk of falls becomes greater depending on each resident's health and mobility abilities. These are things that cannot be controlled, but a senior-friendly community design is something that can be controlled.
A senior-friendly design includes having an open layout where there are no tripping hazards. This includes having flat surfaces to walk on, safe rugs and carpeted areas, and plenty of space between pieces of furniture.
Depending on the type of care you need, the living space may be a bit different as they cater to specific needs. If you live in a space with stairs, the necessary safety features will always be included. This includes having sturdy guard rails to hold onto with slip-prevention features on any hard surfaces.
The staff at an Exton, PA, memory care community also have a strong focus on improving the design. They regularly monitor the environment for any hazards such as clutter, poor lighting, or loose rugs.
Every living space will also have the necessary safety features to help make a day to day life safer and easier. If a resident has any concern about the safety of their apartment, they can confidently voice these concerns so that a solution is found.
Physical Health Amenities
One of the main things that contributes to seniors falling is their physical health. As you age, you may start to develop mobility issues that make it more difficult to walk safely or maintain your balance. You may also lose muscle mass, which can weaken your ability to respond if you start to fall or trip.
To reduce the risk of falling, memory care communities should provide physical health options to keep residents in good shape. This often includes having extensive exercise and training programs that residents can join depending on their goals and their physical health.
One-on-one communication with a wellness team is also vital for creating customized exercise plans for each resident. This allows the wellness staff to take every aspect of their health into account to better understand the kind of regimen or routine they should have. There should also be plenty of outdoor grounds available that provide level walking surfaces for residents to enjoy spending time outdoors with less risk of falling.
Transportation Services
Every Exton, PA, community needs to provide transportation services for its seniors. Not only is this a part of enriching their day-to-day life, but it also helps to prevent unnecessary falls from occurring.
Most seniors will eventually need help getting from one place to another if they no longer drive. There can be a lot of safety hazards when it comes to walking to different locations or trying to get in and out of vehicles. That is why the memory care community should provide transportation services to get seniors safely from one place to another.
Weekly Housekeeping
Even if you still have good mobility, there is always a risk of falling when you are doing everyday tasks. A good example of a fall risk is if you are trying to clean or pick up your apartment. Any kind of activity that requires you to walk around items or bend down increases your risk of falling from a loss of balance or lightheadedness.
You should look for a memory care community that provides weekly housekeeping services to help you manage your apartment. This helps to take the stress off you so that you do not put yourself at risk of falling by trying to clean up your space.
Weekly housekeeping services are also important in terms of keeping your apartment clear of clutter and anything that is on the ground. Clutter is a huge tripping hazard since it makes it harder to get around your space. The memory care housekeepers can help you remove unnecessary items from your apartment as well as find better ways of organizing items.
Accessible Staff
One of the risks seniors face when living alone is falling when there is no one else around. This can quickly make a bad situation worse, especially if you are injured or cannot get up on your own.
Moving to a memory care community helps reduce this risk as you are surrounded by the memory care team. Staff members are assigned to different locations and are always accessible if you fall or need medical attention.
The memory care team will also be aware of your health needs and if any factors could increase your risk of falling. Things like health problems, mobility issues, or certain medications can all contribute to a greater risk of tripping and falling.
The fear of falling is something that weighs heavily on many people's minds as they age, especially if they already struggle with health problems or mobility limitations. When you move into an Exton, PA, memory care community, many preventative measures are put in place to help protect you from this risk.
Are you ready to move into a memory care community? Check out the Arbor Terrace Exton The Journey to Senior Living: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seniors to help you find a safe and comfortable community to join.
