If you or someone you love is entering the golden years, enrolling in the falls prevention programs Sydney companies are offering is probably a good idea. Courses like these can teach aging adults and their caregivers a lot about staying safe despite age-related changes in balance and mobility. Following are a few key points that are often covered as part of this important training.
Balancing Skills And Posture
One of the most important parts of preventing falls is encouraging aging adults to maintain optimal levels of mobility and balance by staying active. At this stage of life, the skills that people rarely use are the very ones that they’re likely to lose first. Seniors can take part in tai chi classes, or they can use yoga or Pilates to work on keeping themselves upright, build up their core muscle strength and use their bodies properly. Keep in mind, however, that maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is no substitute for regular medical care. If aging adults feel dizzy, suffer from problems like vertigo, or experience periods of swooning or fainting spells, medical doctors can identify and address any underlying problems that might be causing these symptoms.
Adapting The Living Space
During the golden years, it’s incredibly important for seniors to have safe, clutter-free spaces that they can easily move about in. In some homes, this can mean getting rid of extra furnishings or simply making sure that these are all spaced suitably far apart. Seniors should always have access to ample-sized walkways, and plenty of stable surfaces for holding onto. This is especially true for aging adults who suffer from degenerative ailments affecting their mobility like Parkinson’s disease. It’s also vital to make sure that loose, area rugs are not curling or rolling at their corners, given that these might cause trip and fall hazards.
Make The Necessary Home Modifications
There are also a number of home modifications that might be made in an effort to prevent slip and fall injuries. As an example, when seniors are visually impaired, the top and bottom stairs can be clearly marked with colored tape so that these important steps are not overlooked or missed. Seniors can also have grab bars installed in their showers, or they can upgrade to walk-in bathtubs. Slip and fall injuries are much more common in wet, slippery areas and thus, you’ll find plenty of tips for increasing bathroom safety when enrolling in the falls prevention programs Sydney locals have access to. Taking steps to avoid physical harm in these areas is critical when seniors have opted to age in place on their own.
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