As your loved one gets older, her risk of falling increases, but it isn’t inevitable, even if she battles recurring bouts of vertigo or dizziness. With some proactive choices, help from senior home care providers, and an awareness of what to do when vertigo hits, your loved one can take steps to reduce her risk of falling even when the world begins to spin around her.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a condition in which the brain translates misinformation, and the person having it feels and often sees the world around them spinning. The floor may rise to the ceiling, or the walls may begin to tilt and spin around. It can be extremely disorientating and cause a person to lose balance and even become nauseous when it happens.
There are two types of vertigo – peripheral and central. Peripheral is the more common of the two and occurs when there is a problem with a person’s inner ear or vestibular nerve (they are both responsible for managing balance). Central vertigo occurs less often when something is affecting the brain, such as a stroke, infection, or traumatic brain injury. The symptoms are often much worse with central vertigo.
Preventing Falls During a Vertigo Attack
Some people only have one or two attacks of vertigo in their lives, while others find themselves dealing with recurring attacks, and unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to prevent an attack. But there are senior home care steps your loved one can learn to help them reduce their risk of falling or stumbling when an attack occurs:
- To reduce the risk of an attack, help your loved one understand when attacks are most common for them. For some people, changing positions, such as sitting up in bed or standing up too quickly from sitting. For others, a quick turn of the head or tilting their head to look upward can lead to an attack. Knowing what causes vertigo can help your loved one make certain movements slowly and carefully to prevent the sensation.
- Walk where there is always support. Walk near walls, pieces of sturdy furniture, or railings. Having something steady to hold onto during a sudden attack can reduce the risk of falling.
- Keep areas well-lit. Your loved one needs to be able to see the area around her if she suddenly becomes dizzy to prevent her from stumbling into something. Nightlights can be especially helpful at night.
- Keep floors clean and clear. Reduce the risk of her feet becoming caught up in something on the floor if she has a few missteps when vertigo hits.
- Have her wear good shoes at all times – even indoors. Flip flops, loose slippers, and slippery socks can increase the risk of falling.
Senior Home Care Help with Vertigo
If recurring vertigo is a problem, your loved one may find there are tasks she doesn’t feel safe doing anymore – such as using a step stool or climbing stairs. Senior home care providers can help fill in the gaps of chores around the home that she can no longer do safely. Talking with a senior home care agency can help you customize the assistance she gets at home that will support her and reduce her risk of falling when vertigo attacks happen.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Senior Home Care in Citrus Heights, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
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