Fall Prevention in Westminster, Broomfield, and Boulder

Did you know that falling once doubles your chances of falling again? Or that each year, over 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries?

Falls are a very serious concern for older adults and September is National Falls Prevention Month. Making this the perfect time to shed some awareness of facts like the above, tips to prevent falls, and ways to increase your overall home safety.

Fall Prevention Tips

Most falls and accidents don’t happen randomly. The most important thing to reduce fall risk is to take care of your overall health. However, there are extra precautions you can take to lessen your risk of falls.

• Stay physically active. Regular exercise improves muscle strength and keeps your body flexible.
• Add in balance and strength training exercises. Yoga, Pilates, and tai chi can all help improve balance and muscle strength.
• Get plenty of sleep. You’re more likely to fall when tired.
• Avoid or limit alcohol. Too much alcohol can lead to balance problems, which can lead to more falls.
• Use an assistive device if you need help feeling steady. Canes and walkers can help prevent falls; just ensure they are the correct size for you.
• Take precautions when walking on wet or icy surfaces. Use ice-melt products or sand to clear icy areas around outdoor walkways.
• Keep your hands free. Use fanny packs or shoulder bags to keep your hands free to hold onto railings.
• Consider staying indoors when the weather is bad.
• Inform your doctor if you have recently fallen.
• Fall-proof your home

Home Safety Tips

Fall-proofing your home is a great way to help prevent falls in the home. But there is more you can do to avoid falls and injuries at home. Follow the tips below to further reduce your fall risk.

• Take your time while completing household tasks. Accidents happen more often when you are in a hurry.
• When changing positions, like standing up from a seated position, wait a few seconds before starting to walk.
• Wear supportive shoes with low heels and nonslip soles.
• Don’t wear nightgowns, dresses, or pants that are too long and may become a tripping hazard.
• Review all medications you take with your doctor.
• Have your vision checked regularly and wear glasses if advised by your doctor.
• Get your hearing checked regularly as well. Dizziness can occur with hearing loss.
• Maintain regular social connection and consider having a home alert system installed.

Using Technology to Help Prevent Falls

One of the ways we are reducing fall risk in our community is through the use of innovative technologies. They allow us to provide the best in-home care possible. Through programs like our 24/7 virtual care, Lifeguard, and Able Care, we are better able to serve our clients and their families.

Our 24/7 virtual care delivers continuous monitoring to ensure your loved one remains safe, even when no Caregivers are present. When used in conjunction with our traditional in-home care, we are able to provide peace of mind to families about how their loved one is doing at any moment. This audio-only system is able to detect falls, physical distress, calls for help, signs of cognitive decline, infections, medication mistakes, and more.

Lifeguard is one of our newest tools to better serve our community. Lifeguard uses a discreet system that includes no microphones, no cameras, and no wearables. This system is able to understand general patterns like sleep, movement, and daily routines. When something is off, such as a long period of inactivity, our 24/7 Alert Center reaches out to make sure your loved one is doing ok.

Able Care and their tool, Able Assess, allow us to offer a quick strength screening. Through this, we are able to understand mobility, balance, and strength to evaluate fall risk. A brief screening can help identify areas to strengthen, so older adults can feel more confident moving through their daily routines.

What Does Griswold Do?

At Griswold Home Care for Westminster, Broomfield & Boulder, we provide compassionate, personalized in-home care services that help older adults and individuals with care needs remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home. Our Caregivers proudly serve families throughout Westminster, Broomfield, Boulder, and surrounding Colorado communities with flexible care options ranging from a few hours of respite care to overnight and 24/7 home care. Whether your loved one needs personal care, companionship, homemaking, or ongoing support, we’ll create a customized care plan built around their unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our home care services and discover how we can help you and your family Live Assured.