Month: February 2020

In our senior years, trips and falls are all the more common because we tend to lose core strength and balance. At the same time, falls among seniors are also more dangerous since our bones also get weaker as we age. So, trips and falls are more likely to lead to broken bones. For these reasons, it is so important to know how to prevent trips and falls among seniors, and to know how to respond in the event of an accident.

Check your eyesight and hearing

Our senses tend to deteriorate as we get older, leading to more problems with eyesight and hearing. Obviously, you’re more likely to trip over something if you can’t properly see where you’re going. Plus, poor hearing can affect your balance, making falls more likely. Make sure to regularly get your eyesight and hearing tested and treated as needed.

Reduce clutter

Trips are also more likely if there are things lying around the floor to trip over, or furniture sticking out awkwardly. Make sure to keep your home tidy and free of clutter to help prevent trips and falls. If mobility problems make it difficult to keep up with household chores, then consider asking a friend or family member to help out, or hire in-home care or cleaning services.

Install grab rails

Grab rails installed around the home will help you steady yourself and regain your balance, making slips and falls less likely. Grab rails are especially useful in the bathroom where there may be slippery surfaces. These rails can help you get into and out of the bath/shower safely and make sitting down and getting up off the toilet easier.

Make floors non-slip

Another way to reduce the risk of slippery surfaces is to install flooring that is non-slip, or adding grippy finishes to existing flooring. Floors in the kitchen and especially the bathroom can get wet, making it more difficult to grip on them. Here are some tips for making tiled floors non-slippery.

Keep fit

A big reason behind slips, trips, and falls among seniors is the loss of muscle and bone strength. By staying active and keeping fit as you age, the risk of falling becomes much less. Core strength is especially important for balance. Yoga is a good example of an exercise that is low-impact but really good for your core strength. Even walking a small amount every day can help to maintain your muscle mass and bone density.

If you are worried about the safety and wellbeing of a senior relative who’s living alone, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about the different care services available, including our independent living and assisted living communities in Bermuda Run Country Club.

As we age and our needs change, there are various levels of care for us to choose between. You could move into assisted living or independent living, you might require memory care or rehabilitative care, and you could opt for domiciliary care. Read on to find out more about domiciliary care and whether or not it is right for you.

What is domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care refers to care that takes place in your own home. At-home care plans can be tailored to the needs of the individual. It can range from a short visit once a week to help with chores to around-the-clock care provided by regular visits and even overnight stays.

Domiciliary care can include help around the house with cleaning, cooking, buying groceries, etc. It can also include personal care such as help with medication management and bathing, among other things.

The benefits of in-home care

One of the biggest benefits of in-home care is that you get to continue living in your own home, which is a priority for some seniors. Seniors often have to move into a retirement community or independent living because their house becomes too much to manage on their own or they’re no longer able to care for themselves. Visits from a domiciliary carer help seniors overcome this problem.

Another advantage for seniors who live at home is that their care worker provides them with some companionship whenever they visit. As well as their other duties, an in-home carer can sit with the senior and talk, listen to music, or play games with them, for example.

Domiciliary care can also be a good option for seniors who still live with their partner or have moved back in with their adult children. Whoever they’re living with may not be able to provide them with all the care they need, so visits from a professional care worker can help everyone manage their lives and needs better.

But domiciliary care isn’t suited to everyone. If a senior needs around-the-clock care and regular medical attention, then being in a specialized assisted living community may be a better option. This also goes for anyone with specialist needs like memory care for conditions like Alzheimer’s.

The cost of in-home care vs senior living should also be taken into consideration. Costs of domiciliary care will vary depending on the frequency and the nature of your home visits, so talk to potential providers to find out how much it could be for you.

If you’re interested in independent living or assisted living around Clemmons, Winston Salem, and Bermuda Run, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about our services.