The winter months are upon us and with the cold, comes snowy and icy conditions. This significantly increases the likelihood of falls and injuries. Even the most stable-footed individual can easily find themselves on their back as they unknowingly step onto a patch of ice. Even in sunny and dry seasons, falls among seniors are all too common.
Falls Are Especially Dangerous Among the Elderly
Falls are the top risk factor for individuals 65 years and older. Every second, someone sixty-five and older falls in the U.S. Falls are detrimental to the elderly and are the leading cause of injury and death.
Steps To Prevent Falls
There are several steps that a person can take to prevent falls. Many of the strategies are inexpensive and easy to implement.
- Ensure that proper snow and ice removal occurs on any walkways.
- Meet with your medical provider to obtain a fall risk assessment, and have your feet and eyes checked.
- Review your medicines and be aware of any side effects that could contribute to falls.
- Engage in daily exercise that will strengthen your muscles and improve balance.
- Remove obstacles or objects that could contribute to falls in your home such as rugs, furniture, and objects on the floor.
- Do not wear socks on slippery floors.
- Ensure your footwear has good traction and grip.
- Utilize handrails in the bathroom, hallways, and when entering and exiting your home.
- Consider days or overnight stays at an assisted living home if loved ones are not readily available and extra help is needed.
These are just a few suggestions that can make a significant difference in preventing falls and injuries. To learn more tips on staying safe, especially during the winter months, speak with an Administrator or expert from the long-term care field.
What Should People Look for In an Assisted Living or Memory Care Provider?
Choosing the right assisted living or memory care provider is vital. Helping a loved one find an assisted living or memory care facility where they feel comfortable, loved, and can engage in personal interests will make all the difference. When searching for an assisted living or memory care home, we recommend that you look at:
- Staffing Ratios
- How many staff members are there compared to the number of residents? The higher the staffing ratio, the better. If your loved one needs assistance, are they able to care for them quickly? It is important that the appropriate number of staff are readily available to tend to your loved one’s needs.
- Specially Trained Staff
- Does the staff receive specific dementia and care training so that they know how to properly care for your loved one? Is this training ongoing and contain the latest strategies and techniques? It is crucial that those who are watching over your loved one know how to care for and work with your loved one.
- Inviting And Fully Furnished Room
- It is important that your loved one feels comfortable during their stay. An inviting, fully furnished room is essential. Ensure that the room is well kept, has a private bathroom, temperature control, comfortable bed, and linens.
- Delicious And Nutritious Meals
- Do they provide home-cooked meals and tailor to special dietary needs? It is essential that the food that is being served not only looks and tastes good but is also full of health-promoting nutrients.
- Engaging Activities
- Do they have a dedicated activities director that helps the residents participate in engaging, life-enriching activities? It is one thing to participate in an activity. It is another thing to participate in one that genuinely interests your loved one. Find out if the activities that are offered can be tailored to your loved one’s interests.
- Accessible Administrator
- Is the administrator readily accessible to answer your questions or address needs? It is important that you can discuss needs or concerns quickly and not have to wait several days before gaining a response. Assess whether you can easily communicate with the administrator, and how likely they will be able to address your loved one’s needs.
- Residents Are Content and Well Groomed
- Are the residents happy and look well cared for? It is crucial that your loved one receives the attention, care, and respect that they deserve. Observing the residents at the facility you are visiting will give you a good idea as to how attentive the staff are and the type of care that is being provided.
- Pleasing And Calm Atmosphere
- Does the atmosphere feel right, and does it feel like home? From the moment that you drive up to the assisted living home, what type of a feeling do you get? Is the atmosphere welcoming, light, and encouraging? When you walk up to the door and enter the building, does it give you a positive impression? Are you warmly greeted by the staff? An inviting, calm, and pleasing atmosphere is important when choosing the right memory care home for your loved one.
- Great Survey Outcomes
- Does the facility have good survey outcomes, and have they been awarded local and national quality awards? When deciding which memory care home to select, investigate the facility’s survey outcomes. Look at their survey history and determine whether there have been positive or negative outcomes.
These are just a few questions to ask when considering an assisted living or memory care home.
Choose The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care
The Cottages Senior Living will provide the best environment for your loved one. Their small, home-like atmosphere and high staff-to-resident ratio help ensure that the residents are well cared for, and their needs are addressed. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care homes have a maximum of only 16 residents per home, which enables our staff to give more personalized care. The home-cooked meals not only follow dietary guidelines but are delicious and nutritious. The activities are tailored to the residents’ wants and desires, creating life-enriching moments. The administrator has an open-door policy and is never too busy to meet with family or answer questions. The home and atmosphere feel calm, happy, and look like a home. The Cottages are secure but never feel like an institution or hotel. The staff receive consistent and updated dementia training. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care have received numerous national and state quality awards for their well-run homes, exuding superior care.
If you are looking for an exceptional assisted living or memory care home, look no further. Call The Cottages today to schedule a tour or speak with one of our experts! (208) 475-1805.
References
- Keep on Your Feet. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html
- The National Council on Aging. (2021). Retrieved 13 December 2021, from https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-falls-prevention
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