Helping Your Senior Cope with the Emotional Issues That Occur After a Fall
Caregiver in Essex County NJ
Falls are extremely common among elderly adults. In fact, millions of older adults fall each year, and a large percentage of them will suffer serious injuries as a result of them. If you are a family 
caregiver for an elderly adult who has recently suffered a fall, you might have expected the physical challenges and issues that they would face. This can include pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. What you might not have anticipated, however, is the emotional issues that can occur after such an event. These emotional issues can be extremely challenging for your parent and it is essential that you help them manage them effectively so that they can focus on recovery and return to their normal lifestyle as soon as possible.
Use these tips to help your senior cope with the emotional issues that can occur after a fall:
- Acknowledge their fear. One of the most common emotional responses to a fall for an elderly adult is fear. They are likely to fear that they will suffer another fall and experience even more severe injuries. While it is true that the chances of experiencing a subsequent fall increase after falling, this fear should not control your parent and keep them from living their lives. Talk to your parent about their fear and express to them that it is normal, but that you are there for them to help them get back to their life.
- Ease their embarrassment. Your loved one might feel embarrassed that they feel and injured themselves. Reassure them that there is no need for them to be embarrassed. Falls are extremely common and the injuries associated with them are some of the leading causes of decreased mobility and quality of life in elderly adults. Knowing that they are not the only ones can help them to feel better and more secure.
- Help them prepare for the future. Many elderly adults mark a serious fall as the beginning of when they started really thinking about their mortality and their diminished function. This can be a challenging time for them, but you can help to make it easier by starting to talk to them about their future. Making plans such as talking about home care, establishing power of attorney, or even planning for their end-of-life transition can make them feel more secure and usher them more confidently into this new chapter of their life.
If your aging loved one has been dealing with dizziness, has experienced an injury or other problem, or has compromised balance and you are concerned about their fall risk, now is the ideal time for you to consider home care for them. A home care provider can give your senior physical support and assistance to help them maintain better mobility and navigate their home as well as other areas with greater confidence. They can also guide them in making better lifestyle choices that can help to reduce the risk that they will suffer a fall, such as eating a healthier diet and staying hydrated as well as keeping their body strong and resilient through regular activity. When it comes to helping your parent cope with the emotional challenges that may come after a fall, a home care provider can talk to your loved one through what they are experiencing and take their time with them to help them ease back into a more active life so that they can maintain their quality of life as they age.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional caregiver services in Essex County, NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.
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