Caring for the Elderly: Tips to Prevent Falls At Home
If you are caring for an elderly parent like I am, these tips will help prevent falls and keep your parent safe at home. Be sure to also read this article on survival tips for the sandwich generation and caregivers.
But before we get into the tips, here’s why I have first-hand experience on this topic. I’m in my mid-forties in the sandwich generation. I help take care of my 84-year-old dad. I’m also a physical therapist and financial strategist. My experience and knowledge can help other parents who take care of their children and their elderly parents. My passion is to share strategies that will enable us all to live with dignity. If you need guidance with your elderly parent’s care or with financial planning for your kids and your own long-term care when you get older, contact me. I’m here to help.
My dad has end-stage renal disease and dementia. He’s had a few falls recently so we had to make a few changes in the bathroom. Watch this video of how we remodeled our bathroom for my dad so he can be safer and be able to take a shower without falling again. We got him the following items:
Sliding shower head holder $97 at Lowes. I later found this grab bar/sliding shower holder on Amazon, which could have worked better for less cost.
Tub bench $5 at Savers (they sell used items), we simply cleaned the tub bench with bleach. You can also get it brand new if you prefer.
Rubber mat 12 pieces for $27.99 at Amazon
Shower curtain $10 at Target
Grab bar $4 from Habitat for Humanity
Lively Mobile Plus fall alert: If you are a Kaiser member, click this link to get the number to call and the code to get a discount. You will also find other resources and information on that link.
Preventing Falls
Falling is very common and often the culprit is weakness in the legs and impairment in the ability to balance. This happens among older adults due to inactivity. Inactivity may be caused by a short or long-term illness. Physical therapy can help with this.
Footwear matters
The second common cause of falls is wrong footwear. Flip flops or open-toed slippers are not safe. Period. Changing the footwear can make a world of difference. I recommend these house slippers for those with swelling in their feet. Footwear should fit well and be worn with the heel inside the shoe completely. They should not be so big that their foot slips out while they’re walking. Many elderly folks tend to drag their feet or shuffle when they walk.
Oddly, what worked for my dad was having him wear his velcro strap tennis shoes in the house because he lifts his feet up when he walks with those, but he drags his feet with slippers. It is not ideal, but sometimes you just have to think outside the box. The risk of falls is a risk we don’t want to take. Try different things, and observe what works!
For hospital socks with rubber grips on the bottom, I found these work really well, especially since my dad is always cold and has to stay warm. If he walks around with just these on, the bottom grips can decrease the likelihood of slipping.
Another reason for falls is the presence of hazards like loose rugs, or objects on the floor or along common pathways. Big furniture in the spaces where they normally go like bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen/dining area, and family rooms. If they use a wheelchair or walker, be sure to clear unnecessary furniture out of these living spaces so they can move more freely and easily. Remove loose rugs or secure them to the floor with tape or tack.
Lighting matters
Make sure there is enough lighting in hallways and bathrooms at night. We like these night light sockets.
Alerts and alarms
Sometimes, the only way to prevent falls is by being with them at all times to assist when they get up out of bed or the chair. I know this is hard to accomplish so installing bed or chair alarms can help alert you when they do get out of bed or chair.
If your parent still loves to stay independent and is alone at home some of the time, a medical alert like the Lively alert, can ease your mind. This alerts family members when a fall occurs and can facilitate emergent services.
Transfer helpers
Raise the couch
Getting up from low chairs and couches is hard for a lot of elderly folks. One solution would be to add height to the couch or bed by having a handyman put a sturdy block of wood underneath. Another option would be to add extra cushions on the seat which may or may not work well. Or you can get a portable lift chair or transfer pole. Check if this is covered by your insurance.
Other things that can help during transfers from surfaces are bed bars, toilet risers or toilet handrails, and tub bars.
Note: Suction grab bars are not safe in my book. They are not securely attached, so I would opt for grab bars that are installed using anchors and screws instead.
A car transfer handle has been very, very helpful for my dad as he gets in and out of the car. It inserts into a metal hole where the car door latches to, and can be used as a handle to push to stand.
Last but not least, a hip kit has been pretty handy to help my dad get dressed on his own. He also uses a reacher to reach and pick up things without bending forward and compromising his safety.
I hope this has been helpful. I want to hear your thoughts. Email back to share if you have something to add that you found helpful for your situation.
(NOTE: The links serve to give you an image of what the items look like so you may decide whether they fit your needs or not. This article and the suggestions here DO NOT replace a physical therapy assessment or recommendation from a licensed Physical Therapist. Links are NOT affiliate links.)
Sheilla Vidal is a Retirement Income Certified Professional RICP® and life insurance broker. Sheilla is also a physical therapist, wife, mother of two, and one of the caregivers for her 85-year-old father. She is an avid learner. She writes, speaks, and recognizes that her work in helping clients live with dignity is her God-given mission.
