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As our loved ones get older, it is common that things like a fall might be one of families biggest concerns, and the more they grow, so do the possibilities of an incident happening.
When a fall occurs, most families don’t actually know how to react, and having a bad reaction can lead to severe consequences on the patient’s health.
The First Common Mistake
It is normal for families to react in an alternative way once a loved one suffers a fall.
Most of the time, the main focus is only based on the injury and the after care the patient needs.
And even though these are important things to look out for, a fall can be a warning sign of an actual medical issue, a change in mobility, or a home environment that is no longer safe.
Jim Prussak, CEO of Applause Home Care, an independent and family-owned home care agency providing care in Fair Lawn, Maplewood, and Northern New Jersey residents, explains it this way:
“One of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming that if their loved one wasn’t seriously injured, everything can return to normal. The real priority is to understand why the fall happened, identify potential risks, and put a plan in place to help prevent another one. This should include assessing environmental hazards (wires, clutter, etc.) and determine whether or not assistance is needed throughout the day—not just when family members are available,” he said.
Having this type of situation is not an easy thing for families, especially realizing you might need to adapt your home, or your elder’s home to match their needs, and sometimes these changes can be bigger than we expected.
The Emotional Impact Families May Overlook
For elder patients, the way in which the following days (after falling) take place are vital to gaining confidence again.
It is normal that fear may be present the first few days, especially due to the trauma some patients may suffer after having an accident.
But trusting yourself and the people who take care of you is not the only challenge here.
For most elders, having a fall doesn’t only mean living with fear, this also comes with an un-talked shame that lots of families don’t see.
Think for a moment in your grandmother or grandparent, if any of them have fallen, or you know an elder who has, it is normal that common daily activities may be scarier for them than they used to be, for example: taking a shower, walking down the stairs or even go out on their own, and even if it’s hard, taking your loved ones into a medical facility is not always the best idea.
At-home care, such as the one Applause Home Care provides, can also help with professional assistance for our loved ones while still maintaining them in a secure and comfortable environment they already know.
Letting them stay at home also helps them maintain their independence, social life and routine.
An article made by the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows how the effects of a fall can extend beyond physical injuries. The study found that patient’s concerns about falling were associated with the risk of future falls in older adults, highlighting the importance of addressing these fears as part of fall prevention.
For families, this means that recovery should involve not only physical safety but also helping older adults regain confidence in their everyday activities.
Knowing When Extra Support Is Needed
When we are taking care of someone we love, it is important to assimilate the fact that there is a point where we can’t do everything on our own. It is vital that families understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, nor it means you “failed” your loved one, on the contrary, it shows how much you care and therefore realize that professional help will be better for the type of quality and support your loved one needs.
As Prussak explains:
“For many families, the challenge is recognizing when their loved one needs more help than family members alone can consistently provide. Additional assistance may be needed when there are instances of repeated fall or near falls, when it seems that it is becoming increasingly difficult for their loved one to do daily activities like preparing meals, dressing, performing hygiene activities, changing in socialization habits and withdrawing more from routine activities with others.”
A trained caregiver can provide appropriate assistance and supervision within their training and care plan, helping reduce the probability of an incident happening.
Fall Prevention Requires More Than Just Physical Safety
For many older adults, preventing a fall is more than just the physical effort. Though improving your home safety is still important, families also need practical resources to manage the unseen: the emotional safety of our elders.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced to help elders with a donation of up to $27.8 million over three years for fall prevention initiatives.
With this help there is an opportunity to bring greater attention to the needs of older adults living at home. This includes making home safety assessments and modifications more accessible, expanding programs that support strength and balance, and providing families with practical education on how to recognize and address fall risks.
For families who need additional support, professional at-home care can help merge both safety and independence for patients. Applause Home Care provides support that helps older adults conquer daily routines while remaining in the comfort of their own homes.
Ultimately, fall prevention should not be limited to avoiding another accident. It should also focus on helping older adults feel safe, maintain meaningful connections, and continue making decisions about their own lives.