The risk of falling is a common concern among seniors and the people who care for them. One slip of the foot and a person’s future outlook can be completely changed. Even if a fall doesn’t result in serious injury, it can damage the faller’s confidence, making him unsure of his ability to do the things he wants to do without injuring himself. Good lighting and a mobility plan through senior fall risk management can improve your senior’s safety at home.
Most Common Time of Day for Falls
Darkness increases the risk of your loved one falling. Whether it’s in the early morning, the middle of the night, or simply in a poorly lit area, not being able to see clearly increases the chance that he may stumble as he walks. Nighttime is also often the most common time of day for your loved one to be home alone without someone nearby to help him if he stumbles.
Five Benefits of Good Lighting
Properly lit areas of the home and outdoor living areas can go a long way toward reducing the risk of your loved one falling.
- Better obstacle spotting. Improved lighting will increase the chance of your loved one seeing that black sock on the floor just waiting for him to step on and slip. It can also help him see a pet that may be wandering around in the dark. Well-lit areas help your loved one see the obstacles before he’s on top of them, giving him more time to react.
- Shows color and contrasts better. If your loved one has low vision or struggles with seeing in the dark, a better-lit area will help him to notice differences in colors and contrasts so he can recognize when the floor he’s walking on is going to change, such as a step-down or even a rug.
- Improved Depth Perception. Darkness makes seeing depth more difficult. It’s tough to properly calculate how far off a chair is in the dark and without proper lighting, your loved one may be on top of the chair before he knows it, stumbling from hitting his toe on its leg.
- Less visible Strain. Having lighting that is similar to the overall lighting at the time will prevent your loved one’s eyes from being overly strained. This is a prime example of why night lights are perfect at night but not during the day.
- During daylight hours, a simple nightlight in the bathroom will not provide enough illumination for your loved one to see well. But during the night, if your loved one turns on the overhead lights to see, he’ll be blinded by the bright light, making it just as dangerous as a dark room in the day. So, at night, a small nightlight is perfect for illuminating a small area just enough to see well.
- Improved Confidence. Knowing that he’ll be able to see where he wants to go will give your loved one the confidence needed to move around his house without fear.
Seek Out Senior Fall Risk Management Professionals for Guidance on Fall Prevention
If you’re not sure how to best illuminate your home for your aging loved one, seek out professional guidance from a senior fall risk management team. A member of the senior fall risk management team will come to your home and help you spot trouble areas where you can improve safety with some lighting changes.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior fall risk management in Newton, MA, please contact the caring staff at PlatinumCare + today. Call (617) 237-0867.
PlatinumCare + was born out of the desire and passion to provide the very best home health care possible in Brookline, Dover, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Weston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Boston MA, and surrounding areas.
All with decades of experience, Tim in IT Operations, Support, and Management, Brenda in Client Relations, Healthcare Services & Sales Management, and Anne in Healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner combined their skills to form what is now PlatinumCare +.
As immigrants to the US, all came from backgrounds where Healthcare for aging parents was a responsibility of the immediate family and the entire community. Aging, sick, or terminal community members were cared for physically, emotionally, and financially by family, friends, including strangers! This community approach, Healthcare with a difference, delivered with the utmost love, care, sacrifice, and passion, forms the basis of how PlatinumCare + grounds itself.
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