Keeping your loved ones safe as they age should be a priority. Mobility issues, for instance, can occur as the body gets older. Unsteadiness can increase the risk of a bad fall, which is why it might be time to move your senior into a retirement community. Trained professionals assist with daily tasks to keep residents safe. Here is a guide to common reasons falls happen and signs your loved one is at risk. 

Why Do Falls Happen?

Many seniors live in homes that don't allow them to age in place. This means minor obstacles have become major tripping hazards over time. This can include door thresholds that aren't flush with the floor, steep staircases, and bathrooms with sleek tile surfaces. 

Older individuals can also develop rheumatoid arthritis. The condition causes joint inflammation. Standing and walking short distances can be painful, which increases the risk of a fall. It's also possible for muscle strength and flexibility to decline with age, which can affect balance. If your loved one has an age-related degenerative eye disease, impaired vision can make it difficult to navigate their home safely as well. 

What Are Signs Your Loved One Might Fall?

If your loved one lives a sedentary lifestyle, they might experience weakness in leg and hip muscles from lack of exercise. Encourage your senior to walk regularly to restore muscle strength. 

Pay attention to whether your senior seems unsteady on their feet. They might, for instance, need to grab on to the arm of a chair while standing or hold on to walls while walking. The balance issues could be caused by a pre-existing health condition or a side effect of medication. 

Cognitive decline caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease could make living alone dangerous for your senior, as they no longer know how to maneuver around tripping hazards.

If your senior is at risk of falling, contact the compassionate professionals at West Vue, Inc. With two locations in West Plains, MO, the company provides residential care services for Howell County residents in each stage of the aging process. This includes a retirement community to help residents enjoy independent living and nursing care services for individuals who need medical assistance. Learn more about the retirement community options online, and call (417) 256-2152 to speak to a representative.