Family caregivers should do everything possible to help their elderly loved ones prevent falls, such as helping them build muscle strength, removing clutter from the pathways, and keeping the floors dry. However, seniors are more prone to slips and falls compared to other age groups due to their decreased bone health. If your loved one falls, you should act immediately by taking the steps listed below.
Check Health Status
See if your loved one is conscious or unconscious after falling. While checking your loved one’s status, do not move him or her. You don’t know if your loved one has any broken bones or fractures, and moving him or her could worsen those injuries. Check your loved one’s pulse rate, pupil dilation, breathing, and skin color. If the vital signs are good, begin checking for signs of bleeding, bruising, swelling, or unusually positioned limbs. If your loved one has minor scratches and bumps, you can treat them with basic first aid supplies. For major injuries, call 911 immediately. Even if your loved one is okay after falling, you should take him or her to the emergency room to get the opinion of a medical professional.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care Huntsville, AL, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Keep Your Loved One Conscious and Calm
If your loved one has experienced a serious injury after falling but is still conscious, keep him or her alert and calm. Talk to your loved one and reassure him or her that everything will be fine. Keep your loved one comfortable while waiting for emergency medical assistance, but try to avoid moving him or her as much as possible. Check for signs of bleeding and swelling. You can comfort your loved one by using soothing words and a calm voice. Never panic, as it could cause your loved one to become confused and worried.
Fall-related injuries can make seniors susceptible to several long-term health conditions. Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional 24-hour care. Huntsville seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Check Your Loved One’s Balance and Flexibility
Once you have determined your loved one can stand, ask him or her to get up with your assistance. Do not rush your loved one. To ensure his or her muscles and joints aren’t tense or sore, have your loved one roll onto his or her side before getting up. If your loved one grimaces or has sharp pain, do not allow him or her to get up. Call 911 immediately and wait for medical assistance before moving your loved one off of the floor.
Check Your Loved One’s Blood Pressure Levels
After you have completed a status check and determined your loved one is well enough to sit up, check his or her blood pressure. Checking blood pressure is very important for seniors who fainted or experienced lightheadedness after a fall. Check blood pressure levels when your loved one is sitting down and when he or she stands up. Make sure there isn’t a significant drop in blood pressure while he or she is standing. To be safe, take your loved one to the doctor for further testing. Keep in mind your loved one may have internal bleeding you can’t detect.
Aging adults can significantly reduce their risk of fall-related injuries by receiving mobility assistance from professional caregivers. A caregiver can help your elderly loved one manage his or her health in a variety of ways. If your loved one needs encouragement to exercise more often, eat healthier foods, or socialize on a regular basis, an in-home caregiver from Home Care Assistance Huntsville can address these and many other health-related concerns. For a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (256) 716-9940 today.