Fall Prevention for Seniors at Home
A fall can change everything for an older adult: a broken hip, a hospital stay and a fear of falling that makes them move less. According to the CDC, about one in four adults age 65 and older falls each year, and many falls happen at home. Accountable Home Care, Inc. is a locally family-owned and operated, licensed nurse registry in Palm Beach Gardens, serving families since 2014. We refer experienced, screened CNAs and home health aides who give steady, hands-on help so your loved one can stay safe and independent at home in Palm Beach and Martin County.
Worried your loved one may fall, or has already fallen?
Talk with a care coordinator about your loved one’s routine and the riskiest times of day, such as bathing and nighttime bathroom trips. There is no long-term contract.
How a Caregiver Helps Prevent Falls
Most falls happen during ordinary moments: getting out of bed, using the bathroom, showering or walking to the kitchen. A caregiver is there for those moments:
- Steady support when walking, standing up and sitting down, using the walker or cane your loved one’s doctor or therapist recommends
- Help with bathing, dressing and toileting, when many falls happen
- Nighttime help with bathroom trips through overnight care
- Medication reminders on schedule, since missed or doubled doses can cause dizziness
- Regular meals and fluids, because skipping meals or not drinking enough can leave a person weak or lightheaded
- Encouragement with exercises a physical therapist prescribes for strength and balance
- Rides to appointments and errands, so your loved one is not carrying heavy bags or driving when it is no longer safe
- Clear walkways: light housekeeping, picking up clutter and keeping everyday items within easy reach
Free Home Safety Checklist
Walk through your loved one’s home with this checklist. During our free in-home assessment, we can go over the home with you and suggest changes.
Floors and walkways
- Remove throw rugs or secure them with non-slip backing
- Keep cords, shoes and clutter off the floor
- Wipe up spills right away, especially on tile
Bathroom
- Install grab bars by the toilet and in the shower or tub
- Use non-slip mats inside and outside the shower
- Add a shower chair and a hand-held shower head
- Consider a raised toilet seat if getting up is hard
Lighting
- Use night lights from the bedroom to the bathroom
- Keep a lamp or light switch within reach of the bed
- Make sure stairs and hallways are well lit
Stairs and entrances
- Install sturdy handrails on both sides of stairs
- Mark the edges of steps so they are easy to see
- Keep outdoor steps and walkways clear and in good repair
Florida homes
- Tile and marble floors are slippery when wet
- Pool decks, lanais and screened porches can be slick after rain or sprinklers
- Wear shoes with non-slip soles instead of socks or loose slippers
Need grab bars, a shower chair or a walker? We can help you coordinate medical supplies and equipment.
Signs Your Loved One May Need Help at Home
- A recent fall, even one without an injury
- Holding onto furniture or walls to get around
- Trouble getting up from a chair, the bed or the toilet
- Bruises they cannot explain
- Fear of falling that keeps them from moving around
- New medicines, dizziness or a recent hospital stay
What to Do After a Fall
If your loved one is hurt, hit their head or cannot get up, call 911. Even if they seem fine, tell their doctor about any fall. The doctor may review their medicines, check their vision and blood pressure, or order physical therapy for strength and balance.
After a fall, many families start with more hours of care, such as 24-hour home care for the first few days, then reduce to a few hours a day as their loved one gets stronger.
Caregivers Who Can Safely Help
The caregivers we refer are licensed independent contractors, and we prequalify each one under Florida Statute 400.506, including a Level 2 criminal background check. If your loved one needs total care or help with lifting, we match a caregiver who has the physical ability to help safely and experience with adaptive devices, such as gait belts and transfer equipment, to promote safety in the home.
Paying for Fall Prevention Care
Fall prevention care is non-medical home care. It is usually paid privately, and many long-term care insurance policies cover it. Veterans may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance. Original Medicare does not pay for ongoing non-medical help. Learn more about paying for in-home care.
Common Questions About Fall Prevention Care
Is this medical care? No. Our caregivers provide non-medical help with daily living, safety and companionship. Your loved one’s doctors, nurses and therapists continue to manage medical care.
Should someone help my parent up after a fall? If your loved one may be hurt, has hit their head or cannot move normally, do not try to lift them. Call 911.
What is the minimum number of hours? We match caregivers for four to 24 hours a day. Tell us the schedule you have in mind, and we will talk through your options.
How much does it cost? Rates depend on your loved one’s personalized care plan, including whether lifting or transfers are needed. See how much home care costs, or call a care team member to ask about rates.
Fall Prevention Care Near You
We refer caregivers in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Hobe Sound, Stuart and Palm City, along with the rest of Palm Beach and Martin County.
Help Your Loved One Stay Safe at Home
Call (561) 320-0055 or schedule a free in-home assessment. Tell us about your loved one’s home and routine, and we will help you plan care for the times of day when falls are most likely.