When caring for someone who is older and frail, it can often be helpful to think about the steps you can take to help reduce the risk of falls.
As someone gets older and frailer, they may experience muscle weakness and fatigue, balance problems, vision loss or limited mobility which can all increase the risk of a fall. Falls can also take longer to recover from when living with frailty. Falls can be worrying and upsetting for everyone but they can make those who are older and frail more anxious about falls and affect their confidence.
We share some ideas below, along with information about how to support someone to feel more confident when living independently.
If you are supporting someone who is older and frail, there are a number of things you can help someone to be steadier on their feet at home. Changes to the home to help them avoid trips and slips might include:
- Adding handrails
- Having brighter light bulbs
- Keeping floors clear, including from wires and frayed carpet
- Using non-slip mats and rugs, particularly in the bathroom
- Keeping garden paths clear of leaves
As well as reducing the risk of tripping over, these changes can help the person to feel much more confident and safer when moving around indoors, which can bring some peace of mind to you too.
For more tailored advice about adaptations and equipment which might be helpful for the person you care for at home, it can be helpful to speak an Occupational Therapist. If the person you care for is not currently working with an Occupational Therapist, you can access one through a GP referral.
Some simple changes to clothing and shoes can also make someone safer at home. Some things to consider might be:
- Choosing clothes that don’t trail on the floor or have loose hanging accessories (such as dressing gown belt)
- Wearing shoes or slippers that have a good grip, which support the feet and ankles and don’t slip off easily
- Putting on clothes that fit well – clothes which are too big or too small can be difficult to move around in
- Wearing clothing which is easy to put on or take off (cardigans may be easier than jumpers, for example)
- Avoiding going barefoot or in socks or tights (especially on slippery floors)
It can also be helpful to make sure that the person’s toenails are regularly trimmed and seeing a podiatrist if they have any problems with their feet so that they are comfortable in the shoes they are wearing.
Keeping active and taking regular exercise can help improve and maintain someone’s physical health. This is a really important part of preventing falls as it can help to maintain good strength and balance. Being physically fit can make it easier for someone to recover if they do fall too.
There are lots of ways to keep active, including:
- Online keep fit classes
- Walks
- Seated exercise classes
- Walking football
- Yoga
- Tai chi (which is particularly good at strengthening balance and coordination)
For more ideas, read our guide: ‘Helping someone who is older and frail to stay active’.
As someone’s condition progresses, they may need additional equipment to help them mobilise around their home independently. This might include:
- Standing rails and ramps
- Stair lifts
- Walking frames with trays
- Fall alarms
- Stools to help them rest
Everyone has different needs, so you might find it helpful to speak to an occupational therapist about what would be most helpful for the person you care for. We share lots of helpful information about this topic in: ‘Equipment and technology to help someone live independently at home’.
Similarly, there is lots of mobility equipment available to make it easier for people to get out and about. That could be anything from a walking frame to a mobility scooter.
Many carers find it helpful to speak to an occupational therapist when exploring the most appropriate equipment. As well as considering the specific needs of the person you care for, they will also consider your strength and ability, to make sure you can help them get in and out of a wheelchair or mobility scooter in a way that’s safe for you both.
Find out more about ‘Supporting some who is older and frail to get out and about’.
It can be helpful to talk through what to do if the person does fall. Some carers have said that having a plan in place can be reassuring for themselves and the person they care for. You might like to consider:
- How the person can get help through a personal alarm, using a virtual assistant (like Amazon’s Alexa), or keeping a mobile phone charged and on them at all times.
- Knowing what to do if the person does fall. That could include not rushing to get up, trying to keep warm if they can’t get up, and how to get help. The NHS shares lots of helpful information about this.
- Having a medication list and care plan easily accessible. This is especially important if the person is out on their own when they fall. You might like to write your phone number on a card, along with vital medical information and put it in their wallet.
We share more information in our guide: ‘Planning for emergencies as a carer’.
If unfortunately, the person you care for does take a fall, it can be important to encourage them to be seen by a doctor to rule out or treat any long-term effects. It’s likely the doctor will also ask them to complete a balance test, to rule out any disorders that might be making them feel dizzy or unstable.
Afterwards, consider whether there was anything that caused the fall that could be fixed. Was the floor wet? Is there some furniture that needs to be moved? Does the person you care for need an eye test? You’ll then know if you need to access any further support.
It can also be beneficial to give yourself time to process what’s happened. It can be unsettling when someone takes a fall, so taking the time to process your emotions and look after your own needs can help you to support the person you care for more sustainably after a fall.
Understandably, many older people are very scared of falling – especially so if they have had a fall in the past and it’s likely that you might be worried about them taking a fall too. Taking proactive steps to manage falls can give you and the person you care for the confidence to live as independently as possible as possible.
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