Seniors and Unreported Falls

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, experiencing a fall is the main cause of death in seniors older than 65. The injuries that a fall can cause can be incredibly serious, even fatal. Even as serious as a fall can be, sometimes seniors don’t let the people around them know when they’ve fallen or almost fallen. This can create significant problems for seniors, including making it impossible for them to age in place. Live-in care can be a good solution, especially for seniors who need a lot more help around the clock.

What is an Unreported Fall?

Unreported falls are fairly easy to understand, really, because the name describes what has happened. These are falls that seniors experience, either at home or somewhere else, and they don’t let family caregivers or their doctors know what happened. Sometimes seniors might have a near miss with a fall, in which they almost fall but don’t fully fall, and still won’t mention that. Unreported falls are dangerous because seniors may be injured or have health impacts from the fall that they don’t realize have occurred.

Why Seniors Don’t Mention Falls

Falling is often embarrassing. When people are younger, a fall or an accident is usually something that other people laugh about. So even when seniors fall and no one else is around, their first feeling might be embarrassment. They may also worry that falling means they’re going to lose their independence because family members think they can’t take care of themselves anymore. Another common reason seniors don’t mention falls is that they think it isn’t a big deal. If health issues spring up later or the fall occurred because of something that needs to change, seniors may not realize what they could have done to avoid it.

Risks Associated with Unreported Falls

When seniors don’t share that they had a fall, it isn’t possible to determine what caused it, and possible contributing causes go undiagnosed and unaddressed. It may be more expensive later for seniors to address medical issues related to falls and injuries that worsen over time. Ultimately, the biggest concern with unreported falls is that once seniors experience a fall, the likelihood that they will fall again doubles.

Encouraging Communication

One solution that helps is for seniors and family members to open the lines of communication and talk about the issues that might cause seniors to keep a fall to themselves. Asking questions about how seniors are feeling, when they last talked to their doctors about medication reviews, and other details helps family caregivers stay informed. It also helps to ensure that seniors understand how solutions like around-the-clock home care can help them remain safe and independent as they age in place.

Preventing Falls

Live-in care providers can also help families to understand tripping hazards and what goes into fall prevention plans. Simple home modifications can greatly reduce fall risks, but there are other solutions, too. Often, as seniors age in place, it helps for them to have live-in care providers available during the day and overnight in case they need additional support.

Ideally, seniors can feel secure enough to be more open with family members and other people in their lives if they feel unsafe or if they experience a fall. Live-in care providers can offer valuable assistance that keeps seniors as healthy and happy as possible.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Live-in Care in Kannapolis, NC, contact the caring professionals at TenderHearted Home Care today. Call us at (704) 612-4132