Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
There are 4.5 million seniors in Florida, and for these residents falls can be a serious danger. While some healthy adults may be able to brush off a slip and fall or trip and fall with no serious injury, falls are one of the leading risks of death and serious injury for seniors.
Underlying health conditions can make the elderly susceptible to falls. They can also make seniors more at risk. Conditions such as osteoporosis, for example, can make bones more brittle, leading to more serious fractures.
If you have a senior loved one who has been injured in a fall, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation with a senior abuse and negligence attorney. In your free accident consultation, you can find out whether you may have a claim and be able to seek compensation so you can pay for quality care for your family member.
If you have a senior loved one, here are some tips to reduce the risks.
- Pay attention to hearing, vision, and overall health. Vision problems can make it harder to see obstacles. Hearing loss and ear issues can cause balance problems, as can underlying health conditions. Talk to your loved one about health screenings and offer to attend them together.
- Help them find strength classes. Many community centers now offer special fitness classes for seniors, including swimming classes, which are easier on joints, and tai chi classes. Exercise programs can help improve strength and balance, which can prevent falls.
- Go shoe and clothes shopping. Sturdy shoes which stay securely on the feet and have good treads help prevent falls by offering traction and stability. Also look for clothing that fits well and provides good mobility, without long hems that can pose a tripping hazard.
- Install safety features in the home. If your elderly loved one is living independently, walk through their home together. Are all areas well-lit, with even floors that don’t pose tripping hazards? Consider installing grab bars in bathrooms and no-slip treads on shiny floors and in the bathtub or shower. A shower seat can also help prevent falls in the tub or shower.
- Talk about a personal alarm. A personal alarm worn by a senior lets them call for help with the touch of a button if they fall or have a medical emergency.
- Review medication. Encourage your elderly loved one to keep a list of all their medication, including any supplements and over the counter medication they take. Get their pharmacy to review these medications regularly for any interactions. Ask their doctor or pharmacist whether any medications may make your loved one more susceptible to falls. If so, find out whether the medications can be changed.
- Find new ways to get around. Offering rides or finding ridesharing or shuttle services can help your senior get around safely. If your elderly loved one has already had falls or has lost balance, you may want to discuss a walker, cane, or other supports for stability.
If you or a loved one has experienced injured after falling in a nursing home, store, or other public place, you may have a claim against the owner of the property if they did not take steps to provide a safe business. You may be able to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs. To find out whether you qualify for a claim, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to set up a free, no obligation case consultation. We’d be happy to review your options with you.