As the seasons change in Waterford, Wisconsin, families get ready for the holidays and the cooler weather. But in the back of their minds, families with senior loved ones also start thinking about the risk of falling. Wet leaves and shorter days can lead to a higher risk, so these fall prevention tips for seniors can help you avoid a hospital visit.
The strategies below can help families protect their loved ones’ independence this fall and winter. At Waterford Place, the team provides assisted living and memory care to residents in Waterford, Wisconsin. Families can work together to lower their loved one’s risk, but long-term care in a community setting can provide around-the-clock support for the times when family can’t be there.
Fall Prevention Starts at Home
Falls are more likely to occur in the spaces your senior loved one uses the most. Walk their usual routes throughout the house, especially from the bedroom to the kitchen and the bathroom. Look for loose rugs, hanging cords, and cluttered walkways for easy opportunities to make their space easier to walk through:
- Tape the cords along the baseboards
- Add nonslip backing to the rugs so they don’t shift
- Keep everyday items within reach, around waist height, so your loved one doesn’t have to reach up or bend down
- Add grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet, shower, and tub for when the floor is wet
These fixes don’t have to be expensive. Walk through the house with your loved one to find things that need changing.
Choose Supportive Footwear
Slippers and socks are comfortable, but they don’t offer much grip on hardwood and tile. Help your loved one find firm, nonskid shoes with solid backs. For outdoor walking in the wet Wisconsin weather, look for shoes with deep treads that will grip icy sidewalks, even in the short walk from the car to the front door.
Improve the Lighting
The shorter days increase the chances that your loved one will be walking in low light. These simple lighting fixes can prevent falls by making rooms easier to navigate in the evenings:
- Place plug-in nightlights along common routes, such as the bedroom to the bathroom
- Make sure a lamp or light switch is within reach of someone lying in bed
- Use motion-activated lights in hallways and entryways
- Consider light strips or inlays for kitchen appliances and cabinets
According to a study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, increasing a room’s lighting by 100 lux, a modest increase in brightness, was associated with about 10% fewer falls. The difference was greatest in the bathroom.
Build Strength and Balance
Strength and balance in the legs and core can help seniors catch themselves if they lose their balance. You can help them achieve and maintain this strength with simple routines.
Daily walks can be an easy way to enjoy the morning. Their physician can show them chair exercises and simple stretches. You can even introduce them to a local tai chi or balance class at the senior center.
Even small changes can help them build confidence in everyday life. Gently encourage your loved one to use railings, get up slowly from chairs, and practice their exercises.
Review Vision and Medications
Falls can be caused by worsening vision or by dizziness, which can be a side effect of certain medications. A yearly eye exam keeps their glasses up to date to help prevent falls caused by depth perception issues.
Ask your loved one’s pharmacist or doctor to review their prescriptions and over-the-counter supplements to make sure nothing could interact to cause drowsiness, low blood pressure, dizziness, or loss of balance. Even natural products can interact with medications and cause issues if you’re not careful.
How Assisted Living and Memory Care Can Prevent Falls
Most families want to do everything they can to help their senior loved one continue living at home. New shoes and lighting updates can help, but many families reconsider their situation after a fall, new diagnosis, or near-miss at home.
In an assisted living or memory care community, team members are nearby around the clock to offer support. They can help with mobility, medication timing, daily care tasks, and emergency response. For residents living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the secure memory care neighborhood offers more hands-on support. A predictable daily routine can ease the confusion that often indirectly leads to a fall.
For many Waterford families, this long-term support is the right solution to their loved one’s difficult situation. Deciding when to move isn’t always easy, but the team at Waterford Place is here to help.
This article should not replace medical advice. Talk with your doctor regarding any issues you may experience, especially concerning balance, mobility, or fall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many falls at home come from trip hazards and poor lighting, but physical changes can increase the risk. Weak balance, vision changes, and medication side effects can all contribute.
Autumn and winter in Wisconsin can lead to icy walkways and wet leaves. Shorter days can mean fewer visual cues in the evening. In some cases, preventing a fall could be as simple as finding the right shoes with good, deep treads.
If falls are becoming frequent, or your parent needs more help with medications and daily tasks, finding long-term community support could be the right next step, especially if memory changes have begun to make home life difficult.
Families can use simple home changes like removing clutter or improving lighting to lower their loved one’s risk of falling at home. However, a senior living community can provide around-the-clock support in every season.
Final Thoughts on Fall Prevention for Seniors
Effective fall prevention may not require a full move to a new living situation. Many families can help their loved one continue living at home with simple strategies, such as motion-activated lighting and supportive shoes. However, a senior living community can provide more consistent support and emergency response in a setting designed to reduce fall risk.
Schedule a Visit to Waterford Place
Assisted living and memory care communities can offer long-term support for your loved one on a daily basis. Contact our team at Waterford Place in Waterford, Wisconsin, to schedule a tour, ask about our neighborhoods, and talk with team members about fall prevention.
