3 Tips For Preventing Falls And Keeping Your Loved One Safe At Home After A Stroke
Posted on: 12 June 2017
If you are taking care of a loved one in your home who has recently had a stroke, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to keep them safe. If so, use one or more of the following tips for preventing falls and keeping them safe while in your home.
Set Their Bedside Table On Their Strong Side
When setting up their bedside table, make sure you keep it on the side of the bed closest to the side not affected by the stroke. If they are weak on the right side, place the table on the left, and vice versa.
Keeping the table on their strong side keeps them from having to reach across their body and the bed with their stronger arm. If they have to do this, they may lose grip on their weaker side, potentially causing them to slide out of bed and possibly sustain an injury.
Put A Bell On Their Table
After you have set up the bedside table, place a bell on the corner closest to their hand. They can use this bell to alert you if they need to go to the bathroom or need something from across the room.
Since they may not be able to walk on their own, your loved one can use the bell to let you know they need help. If you cannot hear them call out, they may try to get up on their own and fall getting out of bed.
Make sure you place the bell on the table instead of in their hand on the bed. If the bell falls off the bed, your loved one will not be able to use it. Also, they may try to retrieve it and fall.
Remove All Loose Rugs In Their Path
Look carefully at any paths your loved one will take, and make sure you remove all loose rugs that could be in their way. Since they may have to drag the leg affected by the stroke, their foot could catch on a loose corner, making them trip and fall.
If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, look for any loose or corners. If possible, nail these to the floor to keep them from sticking up.
Using the above tips can help you keep your loved one from falling in your home. If you have any questions or need further advice, you may want to speak to their caregiver through an in-home health care service so they can look at specific areas in your home and give you pointers on making them safer.
Share