8 Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors in Assisted Living Communities
Safety is always top of mind for older adults and their families, especially when it comes to preventing falls. In fact, more than one in four adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall each year, making prevention an important priority in senior living.
At The Bristal, we take a thoughtful approach to creating environments that support independence while reducing risk. From purposeful design features to daily wellness practices, every detail is considered with our residents' well-being in mind.
While no assisted living community can remove the possibility of a fall, The Bristal is committed to providing safeguards, support, and peace of mind that help our residents stay active and confident each day. Read on to learn more about how assisted living communities like The Bristal help keep residents safe from falls.
Why Is Fall Prevention a Top Priority at The Bristal Assisted Living?
In assisted living communities, fall prevention is often top of mind for everyone. As we age, our risk of falling increases due to a multitude of factors such as slowed reflexes, reduced muscle strength, and balance and mobility issues. When you also consider conditions like arthritis, neurological disorders, and vision impairments, seniors are more likely to fall than most.
For aging adults, preventing a fall can reduce the risk of serious injuries, such as hip fractures, sprains, and even head injuries, which would limit independence and may negatively impact mental well-being. By protecting residents as best we can from a fall, we are better able to instill a sense of safety, personal confidence, and autonomy.
Top 8 Fall Prevention Methods Used in Assisted Living
There are many factors that can contribute to a fall. Here are a few factors that can lead to a fall and how assisted living teams can make changes to prevent a fall from occurring.
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Environmental Changes
With the goal of keeping residents safe, assisted living communities often implement several specific strategies throughout the community to reduce the number of falls. Some of these tactics include:
- Lighting: In senior living, proper lighting is essential. Bright, evenly distributed lighting throughout halls, staircases, and common areas can be quite useful in reducing the risk of falls for residents at assisted living communities. Motion-sensing lights can also be useful in residents' rooms at night, illuminating the area without overwhelming the eyes in the dark.
- Handrails: Handrails and grab bars allow residents to stabilize themselves. Handrails on stairs and in hallways are standard in most assisted living communities to reduce fall risks. Grab bars in showers and near toilets aid residents in safely navigating the bathroom without a fall.
- Safe Floors: Loose rugs present a significant fall risk for older adults. Any area rug needs to have an anti-slip mat under it to keep it secure. Having non-slip flooring throughout the community can also protect residents from falls.
- Clutter: Cramped, cluttered spaces are ripe with fall risks for seniors. In assisted living communities, residents often have access to housekeeping services that can keep rooms clear of clutter.
- Secure Cords: Electric cords can pose a huge tripping risk, leading to falls. Keep cords and wires tucked away and off the floor, especially in high-traffic areas.
Environmental factors are one of the most common causes of falls in aging adults. For this reason, The Bristal team members are on high alert to the above risks and work hard to maintain clean, safe spaces for our residents.
2. Fitness Routines
Participating in physical activity can help seniors improve their balance, strength, and coordination. By focusing on these areas, older adults can reduce their risk of a fall. This is why assisted living communities often offer and encourage residents to participate in the following activities:
- Strength Training: Bone density loss is common in seniors. Strength training, such as resistance band exercises, light weight lifting, and chair exercises, can all help build muscle to support bone density stabilization.
- Balance Training: When considering how to improve balance in seniors, it often starts with slow, simple movements. Balance training for seniors is a fun, easy way to encourage residents to remain active while focusing on an area that can really improve their autonomy long-term. Yoga and Tai Chi both help build balance, stability, and flexibility. Even something as simple as heel-to-toe walking exercises can help improve balance.
- Walking: Staying active has many benefits for aging adults. Even just walking for a few minutes a day can help lower the risk of developing dementia, reduce the chance of bone fractures, and strengthen joints and muscles, while also decreasing fall risks.
With routine exercise, seniors are better able to retain balance, mobility, and strength. Overall, exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but there are dietary factors that come into play, too.
3. Nutrition Plans
Eating nutritious foods tailored to muscle strength and bone health is vital for seniors in reducing the risk of falls in aging adults. Diets rich in calcium and vitamin D help support bone density and strength. Protein is essential for keeping muscles fed and strong. Maintaining a balanced diet can be transformative for patients who may otherwise be at high risk for falls. Dining at The Bristal is overseen by a Registered Dietitian who ensures menu options provide three healthy, balanced, and delicious meals daily.
Don’t forget about water. Hydration is essential for everyone, but in older adults who are already at a higher risk for falls, staying hydrated can prevent low blood pressure and dizziness.
4. Fall Risk Assessments
Each resident has their own needs and risks, which makes personalized fall risk assessments and management the ideal solution in assisted living communities. When residents arrive in an assisted living community, typically, care team members perform a fall risk assessment. These assessments are also performed at regular intervals after move-in.
Part of the assessment process is to determine if residents have a history of falling or balance problems, which can help team members create a specialized fall risk plan.
5. Regular Medical Exams
Making regular appointments with a doctor can help identify any new health concerns early. By identifying any concerns, doctors can help spot potential for fall risks and develop a course of treatment that will reduce the risks. Common concerns, such as vision loss, medication interactions, or memory loss, can all increase fall risk. With proper treatment and medication management, the risk of a fall can be reduced.
6. Mobility Assistance Devices
Properly fitted mobility aids are encouraged for assisted living residents that are at a higher risk of falls. Walkers, canes, and wheelchairs are all aids that can help residents navigate the community while reducing the chance for a fall.
Mobility assistance aids should be regularly checked for damage, excessive wear and tear, and proper fit.
7. Appropriate Footwear
Footwear plays a large role in fall prevention with seniors. At The Bristal, we encourage residents to wear properly fitted, non-slip shoes. Shoes with a strong grip can help residents maintain traction while walking. Additionally, shoes should be supportive to help prevent pain and injuries.
Avoiding high heels, slide-on sandals, loose shoes and slippers, and socks without traction can help reduce the risk of falls in senior assisted living communities.
8. Fall Prevention Workshops
The Bristal communities host fall prevention workshops that help educate our residents and their invited guests about essential strategies for fall prevention. These workshops can provide our residents with vital information that allows them to better assess their own fall risk and take steps to prevent one from occurring.
Fall prevention in assisted living communities is an evolving process. First, individual fall prevention plans are ever-changing for each resident. Additionally, as new technology continues to come out, assisted living communities are implementing new processes to include these specialized techniques in their continuum of care.
What Happens If a Resident Falls?
Despite all prevention efforts, there may still be times when a resident falls in an assisted living community. When a fall does happen, it is important that there are systems in place to help identify a fallen resident and provide care.
Fall Detection System Alerts
Some assisted living communities, including The Bristal, have a fall detection system in place to help detect falls in the community. When a fall occurs, automated alerts are immediately sent to team members, ensuring that someone comes to aid the resident. Additionally, innovations in discreet health monitoring technology can allow for the early indication of certain medical or behavioral changes, which may alert team members that a resident is at an increased risk of falling.
At The Bristal, we utilize the Foresite Fall Detection and Health Monitoring System, an AI-powered platform which uses discreet, infrared monitoring and noninvasive sensors to ensure the safety of our residents in participating communities.
Emergency Call System Alerts
For residents at higher risk of falling, necklaces or bracelets with an emergency call button that can alert team members and emergency services to a fall or other emergency are available. Since bathrooms and bedrooms are high-risk fall areas, many communities also include emergency call buttons in those rooms.
Around-the-Clock Team Member Help
Assisted living communities are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide residents with aid at any time. If a resident is injured, a team member will be available to help no matter the time of day, giving residents and their families peace of mind.
Comprehensive fall prevention programs are a top priority at The Bristal. Our team is constantly working toward better fall prevention techniques for the seniors in our care.
For additional information about fall prevention, please check out our article on reducing the risk of falling at home.
If you are looking for luxury assisted living, schedule a visit at one of our beautiful The Bristal locations.
