Who says life can’t be a mix of adventure and a healthy sense of caution? As seniors, staying active and vibrant means taking a few extra steps (pun intended) to prevent falls and ensuring a speedy recovery if one happens. Here are some effective tips for fall prevention and recovery.

The Joy of Prevention: Keeping You on Your Feet

Falls might sound like a slapstick comedy routine, but they are no laughing matter. Here are some ways to keep enjoying an active life while minimizing the tumbles:

Stay Active and Engaged

• • Regular exercise is key to maintaining balance and strength. Join a local community class or an active adult community event. Tai Chi, dancing, or even a brisk walk around your senior living complex can do wonders.

Home Sweet Home Safety

• • Whether you’re at home or enjoying the perks of independent living in senior apartments, keep your home fall-proof. Secure loose rugs, install grab bars in the bathroom, and ensure bright lighting throughout your space.

Fashionably Sensible Footwear

• • Shoes with non-slip soles are a must. You can be a trendsetter in your senior living or assisted living community while also staying safe. And when balance becomes difficult, be sure to use a walking aid like a walker or a cane. These can be personalized to your personality as well!

Eat Well, Live Well

• • A balanced diet full of calcium and vitamin D helps keep bones strong. Enjoy the delicious meals prepared in your Life Plan or assisted living community to keep your energy up and your body healthy.

When Life Throws a Curveball: Recovery with a Smile

Even with the best precautions, falls can happen. But don’t fret! Here are some ways to bounce back with resilience and a positive outlook:

Seek Immediate Assistance

• • If you experience a fall, call 911! Ask for help immediately. Senior living communities from independent living to skilled nursing also have staff ready to provide immediate assistance. If you’re still living at home, having a medical alert system can be a lifesaver.

Engage in Physical Therapy

• • Physical therapy is your best friend in recovery. Many communities in New Mexico offer excellent supportive care and rehabilitation services. Get back on your feet with personalized exercises designed to restore strength and mobility.

Stay Positive and Engaged

• • Keep your spirits high with community activities and social engagements. Even if you’re temporarily in a wheelchair, you can still enjoy the company of friends. Whether you’re in a senior living community, a memory care unit, or enjoying rehabilitation or respite care, staying socially connected helps boost morale and recovery.

Customize Your Living Space

• • Post-accident, make sure your living space caters to your new needs. This might include installing additional supportive aids such as grab bars or temporarily moving to a more accessible apartment within your senior living community.

Take Advantage of Technology

• • Use gadgets designed to prevent future falls. Wearable devices that alert caregivers, home monitoring systems, and mobility tools and aids such as walkers, canes, or wheelchairs can all be part of your safety plan.

Community Love and Support

At the Neighborhood in Rio Rancho, safety is our number one priority. Whether you are a part of independent living or our supportive care community, we want you to thrive and have a vibrant life.

• • The Neighborhood is an active independent living community for those who are looking to get away from the burden of housekeeping, cooking, home maintenance, and plan for the future.
  • Supportive Care at The Neighborhood is designed to provide privacy and independence while supporting the residents with the services they need. We know how important it is for each resident, their family, and their personal care physician to find the right combination of supportive services and a suitable level of care.

Planning Ahead

• • The cost of senior care can be a concern, but by planning ahead and entering a Life Plan Community like The Neighborhood prior to a fall can be one way to save money in the long run. Most seniors advise their peers to move before you think you need it! A resident at our sister community put it this way: “If you move too late, your life has shortened already, but [if you move in earlier] a retirement community actually elongates your life and therefore your investment is well spent.”
    

Come book your tour today at The Neighborhood!