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As an NRI with aging parents living in India, one of the biggest concerns that often plays on your mind is their safety—especially the risk of falling, which becomes increasingly likely as they age. Falls in senior citizens can be more than just a simple trip or stumble; they can lead to serious injuries and sometimes even life-altering consequences. Being thousands of miles away, worrying about your elderly parents' well-being is natural. This blog will walk you through why falls happen, what to do if a fall occurs, and most importantly, what measures you can put in place to prevent them or reduce the impact even if they do happen to occur.
Understanding the causes of the increased chances of falling will help you put in place the right preventive measures. Aging brings various physical, cognitive, and environmental factors that make seniors more prone to falling. Here's a breakdown of the most common reasons:
1. Decreased Balance and Mobility: As people grow older, their muscles weaken, making balance and coordination more difficult to maintain. This can lead to instability while walking or even standing, increasing the chances of a fall.
2. Medications: Many elderly individuals are on multiple medications, some of which can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. These side effects can impair their ability to walk safely from time to time, making them more prone to falls.
3. Poor Vision: Vision tends to deteriorate with age. Reduced vision can make it hard to notice obstacles, uneven surfaces, or changes in lighting, which are common causes of tripping and falling.
4. Chronic Conditions: Health issues like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes can reduce mobility and increase the risk of falls. These conditions can make it harder to move with ease and may also affect how the brain communicates with the body, leading to slower reflexes.
5. Environmental Hazards: Slippery floors, loose rugs, clutter, and poorly lit areas in the house can all create dangerous conditions for seniors. Homes that aren't fall-proofed often become traps of minor yet significant risks.
6. Cognitive Decline: Conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's can impair judgment and coordination. A person may not realize the risks of certain actions, such as standing on a chair or walking on an uneven surface, which increases the likelihood of falls.
The reality of a parent falling when you're living overseas is terrifying. It's critical to understand what steps to take and how to handle such a situation remotely if your parent or a caregiver informs you of a fall. Here’s a simple action plan to follow.
1. Assess the Situation
Ask Key Questions: Did they hit their head? Are they experiencing any pain, swelling, or difficulty in movement? Were they unconscious, even briefly?
Immediate Action: If your parent is conscious and can speak, try to assess the severity. If they seem confused, disoriented, or are complaining of head or neck pain, treat it as an emergency immediately.
2. Call for Help
Local Emergency Numbers: Ensure your parents have access to the emergency contacts for ambulance services, local doctors, and even a nearby neighbour. If it’s a serious injury or they are unable to get up, they should not try to move until help arrives.
Video Call: If they are able to use a phone, get on a video call to visually assess the situation. You might be able to catch details they might not be able to communicate.
3. After the Fall
Medical Attention: Even if they seem okay, it's essential to get them checked by a healthcare professional. Sometimes, internal injuries or fractures might not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time.
Follow-up: If the fall results in hospitalization or any kind of treatment, ensure that you have all the details, including the medication changes and physiotherapy requirements.
Thankfully, many falls can be prevented with proactive measures. By creating a safe environment at home and helping your parents adopt healthy habits, you can reduce the risk significantly.
1. Home Safety Modifications
Remove Hazards: Clear out clutter, secure loose rugs, and ensure floors are dry at all times. Installing non-slip mats in bathrooms and on any slippery surfaces can make a big difference.
Improve Lighting: Make sure that all areas of the house, especially staircases and corridors, are well-lit. Consider using motion-activated lights to eliminate the risk of tripping in the dark.
Grab Bars and Handrails: Installing grab bars in bathrooms, next to the toilet, and in the shower can provide your parents with the necessary support. Handrails on both sides of staircases are also essential.
Furniture Placement: Arrange furniture in such a way that it's easy for your parents to move around without bumping into things. The house should allow them to walk freely and comfortably without tight corners or unstable furniture.
2. Encourage Physical Activity
Balance and Strength Exercises: Help your parents maintain muscle strength and improve their balance by encouraging regular exercise. Activities such as walking, swimming, and even gentle yoga can help keep them mobile.
Physiotherapy: If they have balance issues or mobility concerns, professional physiotherapy can be an excellent way to improve their stability. A physiotherapist can guide them through targeted exercises designed to strengthen weak muscles and improve coordination.
3. Routine Health Check-Ups
Vision and Hearing Tests: Routine check-ups for eyesight and hearing can help detect issues early. If their vision is compromised, they may not see potential fall risks. Similarly, good hearing is necessary for balance.
Medication Review: Regularly review their medications with a healthcare professional to ensure that none of them have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness that could increase fall risks.
4. Wearable Technology
Fall Detection Devices: Encourage your parents to use wearable devices that can detect falls and send alerts to you or local emergency contacts. Some devices come with GPS tracking, allowing you to monitor their movements in case of emergencies.
Personal Alarms: Personal emergency alarms that can be worn around the neck or wrist are also helpful. With the press of a button, your parent can notify you or emergency services in case of a fall.
As an NRI, you might feel helpless about ensuring your parents’ safety, especially when fall prevention and management become a concern. This is where Nila’s healthcare concierge services come in, offering peace of mind by providing comprehensive support to your parents.
Home Safety Assessments: Nila can help assess and modify your parents' home to make it fall-proof. Our team can ensure the installation of necessary safety equipment like grab bars, handrails, and improved lighting to reduce risks.
Physiotherapy at Home: Nila offers physiotherapy services through a comprehensive network of vetted partners, tailored to improve strength, mobility, and balance for your parents. The physiotherapists work closely with Nila to address their specific needs, which is crucial in fall prevention.
Regular Health Check-ups: From arranging routine doctor visits to ensuring their medications are reviewed for side effects, Nila helps keep track of your parents' health. Early detection of fall risks such as declining vision or harmful medication side effects can be life-saving.
Emergency Assistance: In case of a fall, Nila can immediately respond, coordinating emergency medical services, notifying you, and staying with your parents through the situation. We also manage follow-up care like hospital visits or home rehabilitation.
Falls are a serious concern for aging parents, especially when you live miles away and can't be there to help. However, by understanding the risks, making preventative changes, and enlisting the help of a healthcare concierge service like Nila, you can significantly reduce the chances of a fall happening. And, if a fall does occur, you’ll know that there's someone on the ground to manage the situation, providing the best possible care for your parents. After all, their well-being is your peace of mind.
