Health and Wellbeing
A Guide to Rebuilding Confidence in Seniors After a Fall
Experiencing a fall can be life-changing and traumatic for a senior, often leading to a fear of similar incidents happening again. If you have faced a setback after a fall or are looking to support someone who has, navigating this process can be tricky. In this guide we’ll be providing practical steps to regain independence, rebuild confidence and prevent future falls from occurring.
How common are falls at home?
Falls are a significant concern among older adults, particularly in their home environment. In the UK, one-third of individuals over 65 will experience at least one fall annually, leading to approximately 70,000 fractures each year. Alarmingly, 4,000 deaths were attributed to a fall in seniors in 2014.
Beyond the immediate physical injuries, falls can severely impact a person’s confidence, put them at an increased risk of isolation, and reduce independence. Approximately 10% of seniors who fall become afraid to leave their homes due to fear of falling again.
Types of falls in the elderly
Falls in the elderly occur for a number of different reasons, be it individual circumstances or environmental factors. These can range from a slip caused by uneven surfaces or wet flooring to health-related issues like dizziness, fatigue or muscle weakness. Let’s explore the types of falls in the elderly in more detail.
Muscle weakness
As the body ages, muscles begin to deteriorate as fewer proteins are produced, which are necessary to maintain muscle strength. As a result physical strength declines, making it difficult for a person to support themself freely, without the need for an assistive aid. Muscle weakness is particularly common in the legs, causing issues with stability and balance and increasing the chances of a fall occurring.
Visual impairment
Reduced vision or conditions like cataracts can affect an older person’s ability to perceive things. This can increase the likeliness of a fall as it becomes harder to identify hazards or obstructions. Reduced eyesight can also impact how a person responds to their surroundings, reducing independence through fear of falling.
Trips and hazards
Clutter, uneven flooring, or loose rugs in the home are common and can easily become tripping hazards, especially for seniors with limited mobility.
Poor perception depth
Changes in depth perception, often related to ageing or ongoing vision problems, can make it challenging to navigate parts of the home, such as the bathroom or stairs. It can also be harder to distinguish objects on the ground, including their size and weight which could result in an injury if tripped on or fallen over.
Dementia
People with cognitive conditions like dementia are four to five times more likely to fall compared with people without cognitive impairments and three times as likely to sustain a hip fracture as a result of a fall. Dementia can lead to poor judgement and reduced spatial awareness of surroundings, increasing fall risk.
Medication side effects
Many seniors taking medication for other ailments may be unfamiliar with side effects that can result in a fall. From dizziness to drowsiness, side effects from sedatives or blood pressure tablets often develop quickly, making it harder for individuals to prepare themselves accordingly.
How to rebuild confidence after a fall
Regaining confidence after a fall is crucial in helping seniors to reclaim their independence and quality of life. It requires an approach that addresses both physical and emotional aspects of recovery where they feel supported, self-assured and positive.
Understand the circumstance
Start by understanding what was the root cause for the fall, why it happened and how a similar fall can be prevented in the future. Did it occur because of a trip hazard or was it a result of an underlying health condition? Identifying the circumstances and risks in which the fall happened can help put a senior’s thoughts to ease, reassuring them.
Acknowledge the concerns
A study from Oxford Academic found that 36.2% of older adults feel moderately or very afraid of a fall. It’s important to create a supportive environment where seniors feel comfortable expressing their worries or sharing their concerns with friends or loved ones.
Invest in a full health review
A thorough health evaluation can uncover underlying issues that may have contributed to a fall from occurring.
- Medication overview - With the support of a healthcare assistant, nurse or GP, an overview of their medications.
- Hearing test to prevent dizziness - Dizziness affects one in three people over 65. Poor hearing can directly impact an individual’s balance and coordination, leading them to feel disoriented. Addressing hearing loss can significantly improve spatial awareness.
- Eye test to check perception and impairment - Vision impairments like cataracts, glaucoma, or reduced depth perception can make navigating the home environment difficult. Regular eye exams and corrective measures like glasses or surgery can significantly reduce the chances of a fall.
- Blood pressure monitoring - Spikes or drops in blood pressure are more common in seniors, causing dizziness and even fainting. Monitoring and managing blood pressure through diet, medication, or hydration can help mitigate risks.
Encourage Mobility
After a fall, individuals are likely to reduce physical activity for fear of a similar accident happening again. However, inactivity could increase your risk to the likelihood of a fall as muscles weaken and physical strength is reduced. It’s important to encourage mobility which promotes better coordination and stability.
- Strength Training Exercises - Exercises that build lower-body strength, such as leg raises, squats, or resistance band workouts help to promote muscle growth and bone density. Many of these exercises can be performed in the comfort of one’s home.
- Balance Exercises - Activities that promote balance, such as yoga, are great at encouraging mobility and don’t require any level of physical prowess to be performed. Similarly, with strength training, many balance exercises can be done while seated, using household items.
- Aerobic Exercises - Gentle activities such as walking or swimming can improve cardiovascular health and stamina, necessary in strengthening the body and encouraging confidence in oneself.
Install an Alarm System
For seniors living on their own or with loved ones, an emergency alarm system, such as a wearable fall detection device, can ensure immediate help and attention in the event of a fall.
Many alarm systems are affordable and come with built-in GPS tracking, connect to and alert a loved one’s phone and emit a loud alarm sound when triggered. Alarm systems are great at promoting better safety in the home, reassuring seniors that they are not alone, as well as fostering a greater sense of independence.
Fall prevention in seniors
Preventing a fall from occurring is a proactive measure to ensure a person feels assured in their own home. With simple and considered adjustments, their home environment can pose much less of a risk, helping them to feel confident and comforted.
Remove obstacles in the home
Take time to assess the layout of the home. Clear obstacles that pose a direct risk, such as items of clothing or shoes as well as ornaments, plants or other distractions. Consider moving pieces of furniture with sharp edges to allow for easier navigation around the home. Think about obstacles that might not be immediately obvious, such as uneven floor surfaces, loose rugs or wet and slippery areas of the home.
Invest in mobility furniture
Investing in specialised mobility furniture can greatly help a senior to rebuild confidence in their home after a fall as well as promote safety and enhance comfort.
- Rise and recline chairs - Rise and recline chairs are particularly beneficial for seniors recovering from a fall because they eliminate the fear of struggling to stand up or sit down, which can often be a source of anxiety.
- These chairs use a motorised mechanism to gently lift or recline an individual which reduces pressure on legs and joints. This helps to maintain strength and balance as well as creating trust in the ability to move independently without fear of falling again.
- Adjustable beds - For an elderly person, getting in and out of bed can be particularly challenging and cumbersome, with increasing risks of a fall occurring as a result of movement, muscle stiffness or weak physical strength.
- The ability to adjust the bed’s height at the touch of a button provides a sense of control, allowing seniors to move at their own pace. Additional features like side rails can help to instil reassurance, particularly for those with mobility challenges or health conditions such as low blood pressure or arthritis.
- Bath Lifts - With 42% of households opting for mobility bathroom adaptations, the fear of slipping in the bathroom is a serious concern for the elderly. Bath lifts are hugely beneficial in regaining independence in the bathroom and help to make this environment a safer place.
- Bath lifts eliminate the need to get in and out of a traditional tub which would otherwise be dangerous. They can help an individual to be lowered into the water without the assistance of another person, helping to restore a sense of normalcy and autonomy.
Create a routine at home
Creating a consistent daily routine is a crucial aspect of fall prevention in seniors, offering predictability and structure that helps rebuild confidence. Establishing a schedule that includes set times for waking up, meals, exercise, and rest creates a sense of order and control. Moreover, a structured routine minimises the chances of rushing, a common cause of accidents, and ensures seniors can approach each activity with care and consideration.
Encourage appropriate footwear
According to a recent study, 51.9% of individuals who had a fall in their home did so barefoot, wearing socks without shoes or in slippers. It’s important to consider the right type of footwear in a home environment to prevent falls. Shoes should be sturdy, well-fitted and have non-slip soles to ensure stability and comfort. In addition, the right footwear encourages better balance and reduces feelings of fatigue. Avoid shoes that are heeled, have straps or are overly flexible as they lack the necessary support required to hold up body weight. It’s also important to check the condition of your footwear periodically as uneven outsoles can increase the risk of tripping.
Speak to the Oak Tree Mobility team for information on mobility furniture
If you’re looking to rebuild confidence after a fall, for you or a loved one, and want to explore Oak Tree Mobility’s premium selection of rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, and bath lifts, we’d love to hear from you!
Contact our friendly team today on 0800 999 2781. You can also arrange a free, in-home product demonstration during your call. Our friendly Mobility Experts will customise the demonstration to suit your specific needs helping you discover the perfect solution for your home and lifestyle.
