“Tips for Caregivers: How to Minimize the Risk of Falls for Elderly People with Memory Problems or Brain Injuries”

2023-05-09 12:20:53

Elderly people with memory problems or brain injuries are more likely to fall than others. This applies, for example, to people with dementia. As an informal caregiver, you can help minimize the risk of a fall.

Older people with dementia fall twice as often as peers without dementia. This is because they no longer recognize dangerous situations properly. They move less smoothly. It also takes more effort to keep the balance. Are you a carer of someone with dementia? See what you can do to prevent your loved one from falling.

Read the package insert of medicines

Some medicines make you drowsy or dizzy. Or they make someone react more slowly. Does your loved one take medication? Check the package leaflet for such side effects, or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Have good visibility

Someone who sees well, trips less quickly and has a better balance. It is therefore important that your loved one’s eyes are checked every year. You can go to the ophthalmologist for such a check-up. A referral from your GP is required for this. You can also go to an optometrist. That is someone who medically examines the eyes. You do not need a referral for this. Many eyewear stores employ an optometrist.

Choose the right tools

Your loved one can use aids to prevent falls, such as a rollator, a walking stick, a walking frame or a triple chair. With a triple chair, your loved one can move around the house while sitting. With his feet he or she ‘trips’ to the right place.

Op Hulpmiddelenwijzer.nl tells you where you can buy these tools and what they cost. Ask your health insurer about reimbursements.

Keep moving (together).

Strong muscles are important to be able to stand firmly and to reduce the risk of falling. You can help your loved one to keep moving. For example, do chores around the house or garden together. Get groceries together or take a walk.

Check shoes and slippers

Shoes and slippers should fit snugly on the foot. The chance of tripping is then smaller. Non-slip soles prevent your loved one from slipping. Ask advice in a shoe store.

Walk around the house

It is a good idea to walk around the house with your loved one. In this way it quickly becomes clear where he or she could fall.

• Remove barriers or make them lower.
• Remove loose rugs. Or place an anti-slip mat underneath.
• Clean up stuff on the floor as much as possible. Think of flower pots or a stack of newspapers.
• Secure loose cords in cable ducts. Or clip them to the baseboards.
• Make sure that things are not too high in the cupboards. This way your loved one can grab them without stairs or steps.

Make the stairs safe

The stairs can be a difficult obstacle for someone with dementia. Make sure the stairs are safe.

• Provide a sturdy handrail along the stairs.
• Good light is important to see the steps.
• Use non-slip material if the steps are slippery or if the carpet is loose.
• Is there laundry in the stairwell? And does your neighbor have to bend down to walk under it? Then remove the laundry.
• Is climbing stairs too difficult? Perhaps a stairlift is a solution. Ask the municipality whether a reimbursement is possible. Isn’t that the case? If your loved one lives in a rented house, you must ask the landlord for written permission to install a stairlift.

Make the bathroom safe

Many accidents happen in the bathroom. Because of the water it quickly becomes slippery there.

• Place handles where your loved one needs extra support.
• When washing or brushing your teeth, your loved one may hold onto the sink. Make sure it is tight.
• Remove as much stuff from the floor as possible.
• Place a non-slip mat in the shower tray. Or put non-slip material on the entire floor.
• Place a shower chair in the shower. This is available as a separate chair and as a folding seat on the wall.

Provide security at night

People with dementia often sleep badly. Or they wander in the night. If your loved one gets out of bed, this increases the risk of falling.

• Provide good light. Replace old-fashioned energy-saving light bulbs. These often take a long time before they give enough light. Also use night lights for the socket. Some turn on automatically when someone moves. Or stick an LED strip along the wall.
• A fall mat prevents injury if your loved one falls out of bed. An alarm mat does the same, but it also makes noise when your loved one stands on it. If you are in the area, then you can take action.
• A motion sensor also ensures that you receive a warning when your loved one gets out of bed. A notification will then be sent to your smartphone, for example.

Ask for advice and help

You may not know exactly what measures are necessary. Then ask your loved one’s GP, case manager or district nurse for advice.

Can’t make all the adjustments yourself? In many municipalities there are volunteers who can help you with this. Or hire a handyman service. Sometimes the municipality contributes to the costs. Ask about the possibilities at the Wmo counter of the municipality.