A non-medical home care company in Connecticut, Fairfield Family Care maintains a staff of insured, certified caregivers. Under the leadership of Gary Ferone, these workers help seniors and people with disabilities overcome various difficulties. Among the many services offered by Fairfield Family Care is taking steps to protect falls.

In many situations, the first step of preventing falls is discussing a person’s current health. There are several chronic conditions that increase a person’s likelihood of suffering from a fall, such as stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. A person with such conditions is more likely to lose function in areas of the body, experience pain or depression, or be inactive. All of these can decrease a person’s coordination and muscle strength.

Beyond that, chronic conditions often mean a person is taking some sort of medication on a regular basis. Over-the-counter and prescription medication increases the risk of dizziness and dehydration, both of which increase the chance of falls.

People also can prevent falls by making alterations around the house. Tripping hazards should be removed or repaired, so it’s easier to move around. Clutter, such as stacks of newspapers, must be cleaned up. Installing handrails and grab bars in the bathroom or on stairways adds an extra level of protection against falls, as does installing better lighting throughout the home.