Each year, millions of elderly Americans suffer from falls. These falls can have a range of consequences, from light bruising to serious injury. However, there are a number of assistive devices on the market that can help prevent these falls from happening in the first place.
Assistive devices for preventing falls in the elderly fall under many different categories, including medication dispensers, armrests, and toilet seats with handrails. Grab bars for showers or bathtubs or a robust plastic seat shower chair with a hand-held shower nozzle for bathing.
When most people think of assistive devices, they think of wheelchairs or walkers. But many other types of devices can help elderly adults stay safe and independent. We’ll take a look at some of the most common assistive devices used to prevent falls, and we’ll discuss how they can help make your life easier. Stay safe and happy!
What is Meant by Assistive Devices?
Assistive devices are gadgets with external equipment to assist a person in performing a certain activity. Many people with disabilities use assistive devices to accomplish routine tasks and participate fully and effectively in community life. Older adults are at higher risk of falling and the consequences of it. A significant proportion of people aged 65 and older (about one in three) falls each year. As we age, the risk only increases. The estimates are that half of all seniors who fall will retake a tumble within six months if nothing is done to help them. Over 80% of hip fractures are due to falls, and one out of three people who break their hips die within 12 months of the fracture. Many of these deaths are due to pneumonia or other infections. Many older adults become frail and weak after a fall injury.
How Do Assistive Devices Prevent Falls?
The alert button has a connection to the home-based or mobile POC, which activates when an older person pushes an alert button on a wearable device, such as a pendant, bracelet, or lanyard. When you press the button, a signal will alert emergency aid personnel. The emergency aid personnel then respond and attend to a fall as quickly as possible in many situations. Those who suffer from arthritis, diseases, or are simply getting older are at a high risk of falling. The consequences that come with falling are not only harmful physically but lead to depression as well. There are many different fall-preventing devices for the elderly, one being the walker. A walker is a metal frame that creates a flat surface on its lower half and has handles on top for better grip. Another type would be the cane suitable for people who need help while taking steady steps. However, many seniors find themselves needing more than just these two devices because their condition gets worse over time – Enter the wheelchair! Not only does it provide added stability at all times, but it can also help with transferring if they ever need to get in and out of the car or other areas. The wheelchair also comes with a seat belt, which is an added safety measure to prevent falls.
Why Elderly are at Risk for Falls?
The elderly are at an even higher risk of falling because their body eventually becomes less flexible than it once was. As a result, older adults become slower and weaker and tend to lose vision. Then you add in any medications that may be slowing them down or weakening them more, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Other factors include their environment (anything that makes it hard to see, like clutter). In addition, ‘normal’ problems such as corns and bunions can make walking more difficult.
Falls are a serious problem for the elderly, as they can result in shattered bones, bone fractures, and head trauma. The good news is that fall prevention is possible with the correct type of assistance (such as a walker or wheelchair). However, it’s important to note that no two individuals will have the exact needs, so it’s crucial to work with them one-on-one to find out what works best.
How Can We Prevent the Elderly From Falling?
- Get your eyes and hearing examined. Falls can occur due to even minor changes in your vision or hearing. Take time to get comfortable with your new glasses or contact lenses. When you need your glasses or contacts, use them. Wear your hearing aid! If you have a pair, make sure they function correctly and wear them regularly.
- When walking on wet or icy surfaces, exercise extreme caution. They might be extremely slippery. Place sand or salt on the ice outside your front or back door to prevent accidents.
- Learn about the adverse effects of any medication you take. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if a medicine makes you drowsy or dizzy.
- Make it a point to get your body active. Determine the best exercise program for you. Regular exercise increases muscle strength and endurance. It also helps to keep your joints, tendons, and ligaments flexible. Walking or climbing stairs, for example, might help to limit bone loss associated with osteoporosis.
- Slowly get up. Feeling dizzy is possible if you get up too quickly. Your blood pressure will drop when you do so. You’ll feel wobbly. Check your blood pressure while sitting and standing to see whether it has changed.
- One of the best things you can do for yourself is to get enough rest. If your body tells you that it needs sleep, take a nap during daylight hours. Going to bed earlier can also help improve how well-rested and energetic we feel and our chances of avoiding falls.
- Reduce your consumption of caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda. They can make you more restless and dehydrate you, which will raise your blood pressure. These drinks may lead to fainting spells or falls.
- Do things that make you feel safe at home. Make sure your property has sufficient light at all times. Keep a nightlight in every room. Get rid of clutter near staircases so there isn’t anything for someone to trip over if they have to get up during the night. If your home has stairs, use a sturdy handrail when going up and down them. And learn how to fall correctly. There are techniques that you can practice by yourself without needing help.
- Take into account using a piece of adaptive equipment if you need help walking. Combat falls by correctly using canes and walkers. Using a cane or walking aid at the wrong size for you or with uneven wheels may result in an accident. If you have trouble walking, it’s crucial to wear shoes that fit properly and provide the necessary support for your different ailments. When walking in areas, you don’t know well or on uneven walkways, use trekking poles or another stabilizing aid. A physical therapist or an occupational therapist may assist you in determining which equipment might be helpful and teach you how to utilize them safely.
Which Assistive Technology Items Can Help People at Greater Risk of Falling Over?
- Handrails are an essential part of any home. They allow you to navigate the stairs safely, and they keep your hands from slipping while climbing or descending, which means less risk for falls! To ensure handrails work correctly, there should be a handrail on both sides throughout each level to avoid accidents. The best way would probably depend upon the railing system’s kind (or style). Generally speaking, we were looking at something more modern, like a metal pipe framework. You need two sets running down either side.
- For plain wood steps, there are no-slip treads.
- A toilet seat with armrests is elevated.
- Grab bars for soaking tubs or showers are also available.
- A sturdy shower chair with a hand-held shower nozzle for washing.
- Light switches activated by motion within the home are an energy-saving feature.
- Nightlights in hallways and bathrooms help avoid dangerous falls in the home at night.
- When a bathtub is desired, a walk-in tub can provide added safety.
- A bedside commode along with a durable chair that is easily moved makes sitting and getting up from the floor easy for seniors.
