Stopping the Greatest Risk to Seniors

The leaves can fall but not you!

This month is Fall Prevention month, which is a great reminder to assess fall risks.

Commonly, chronic health conditions such as heart disease, low blood pressure and dementia can play a role, as well as vision impairment, medications and muscle weakness.

Many can be dismissive of falls as just part of getting older, but falls can be a sign of other issues. Talk to a physician if a fall has occurred or there are concerns about falling. Falls can be a sign of medication side-effects, balance problems or a worsening medical condition.

The good news however is that there are steps to be taken to reduce the risks.

  • Assess personal risk of falls with a healthcare provider.
  • Get vision and hearing checked annually.
  • Review medications, and take them as prescribed.
  • Keep homes safe by removing hazards, increasing lighting and installing grab bars.
  • Find a good exercise program that improves balance, strength and flexibility.
  • Talk to family; enlist their support to stay safe.
  • Recruit companions or in-home caregivers to help maintain an exercise program or to help with housekeeping, transportation, laundry and other services.

Wesley communities offer independent living apartments with on-site staff to assist in maintenance, house-keeping and personal care.

For instance, the Catered Living program at Wesley Bradley Park in Puyallup offers flexible care services that include medication management, bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, safety checks and more. This program provides the flexibility to increase or decrease support as needed and helps residents remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.

Wesley also offers in-home care to those living outside a Wesley campus.

Contact us today to learn which Wesley community and services meet your needs.

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