About 1 in every 4 seniors falls at least once a year. That’s even more common for people who have Alzheimer’s disease.
Most of the time, people who fall aren’t hurt or only have minor problems that you can manage at home.
If they’ve fallen and are awake but haven’t gotten up, ask them not to until you’re sure they’re okay.
Ask them if they hurt anywhere, especially their:
- head
- neck
- shoulders
- wrists
- hips
- knees
In the 2 or 3 days after the fall, stay on the lookout for any sign that your loved one might have a new illness or a change in their condition.
To keep falls from happening you can do a few things to make it less likely your loved one will fall and get hurt.
Help them start an exercise program to make their legs stronger. You can ask their doctor about exercise programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Many medications can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or confusion. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are safer ones they can take.
Do a home safety check up and fix any problem areas. Poor lighting, slippery or uneven floors and shoes that have slippery soles all make falls more likely.
Sometimes, older people are afraid to go up or down steps or get up to use the bathroom at night.
To get around this, you can put handrails in stairwells, or light the path to the bathroom at night.
Add grab bars near the toilet and near the shower or bathtub to help them stand up. A shower chair is also a good idea.
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