Nighttime Dangers Due To Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of adults 65+ will encounter a fall every year. In order to avoid falls, especially during the nighttime hours, there are some steps that can be taken to lessen their chances of having a medical emergency.

Vision loss creates problems for our loved ones as they age. These progressions in vision loss can make it troublesome for seniors to get around their home during the evening hours as it becomes dark. Deliberately setting a nightlight in each room of your loved one"s home, and additionally adding lights to all hallways is the first step toward making a safer environment for your loved one.

Midnight trips to the bathroom also tend to create safety hazards, as walking to the bathroom while drowsy can be difficult for anyone. As we age our legs become less steady and any obstacle that is in the path to the bathroom can create a tripping hazard. One way to counteract this is to be sure to clear the path before bed and remember to not drink or eat too much before bed time thereby limiting the number of trips to the bathroom during the middle of the night.

Finally, having a medical alert device present in the home at all times is an excellent way to stay safe while aging at home. Falls can occur and without proper medical intervention in a timely manner the outcome could be less than ideal.  In the event that a loved one does fall, these convenient medical alarms can immediately summon the help that they may so desperately need.