Christmas Wellness and Essential Insights on Fall Prevention
In the midst of the holiday season’s joy and festivities, it’s crucial to consider the importance of both Christmas wellness and fall prevention. It can be easy to overlook potential hazards, especially during wintry weather. By prioritising Christmas wellness and essential insights on fall prevention, it can create a safer holiday season. From decorating safely to considering fall alarms and preventative measures, families can make the most of the season while safeguarding health and happiness.
Prevent the flu and protect lungs from cold air by layering up. Wearing 2 or 3 thinner layers of loose-fitting clothing is warmer than a single layer of thick clothing.
Navigating Winter Hazards
By preventing falls through various methods and navigating winter hazards, a safer environment can be created.
Appropriate footwear with good traction is best for icy and slippery surfaces. Opt for winter boots with non-slip soles that provide stability and keep feet warm and dry.
Keep outdoor pathways and driveways clear of snow and ice. Regularly shovel snow and apply ice melt or sand to reduce slippery surfaces. Pay special attention to steps and ramps.
If there are outdoor steps or stairs, make sure handrails are secure and use them for support when navigating slippery surfaces. Installing additional handrails or grab bars at home can also provide stability.
For elderly individuals or those with mobility challenges, consider using walking aids like canes or walkers. These devices provide added stability and support when navigating icy terrain.
Prioritising Wellness
Ensuring the wellness of loved ones during the holiday season involves a multifaceted approach that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Encourage loved ones to engage in physical activity suitable for their fitness level, whether it’s light stretching, walking, or chair exercises. Physical activity can help maintain strength, balance, and mobility.
Medications should be taken as prescribed, and refill prescriptions in advance to avoid running out during the holiday period.
Consider a medical alert system to provide quick access to help in case of emergencies, such as the Isaac Fall Alarm.
Simplify holiday decorations and meal preparations to reduce stress and physical demands.
The Isaac Fall Alarm
Features include: Help at the push of a button. 24/7 support. Personalised Circle of Care App. Real-time notifications are visible through the Isaac Care app showing GPS location. Payment plans that work for you.
Caring for seniors requires a thoughtful and compassionate approach, especially during the holiday season when additional considerations may come into play.
Pay attention to nutrition by preparing balanced meals, taking dietary restrictions into account, and encouraging proper hydration.
Listen actively to any concerns and feelings, and offer companionship, especially if they are experiencing loneliness or grief.
Plan enjoyable activities tailored to their interests and capabilities. This might include arts and crafts, music, reading, or watching movies together.
Stay informed about their medical conditions, treatments, and medications by maintaining open communication with the healthcare team.
Caring for loved ones during the holiday season is a labor of love that encompasses attentive physical care, emotional support, and creating a safe and engaging environment. It allows elderly loved ones to experience a meaningful and joyful holiday season. Through the use of fall alarms and preventative measures, it is possible to safeguard health and ensure that their wishes and wellbeing this holiday season are respected.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. To order your Isaac Care fall alarm, contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
As winter approaches, one of the growing concerns for the elderly population is the increased risk of falls. This winter, as we gather with our family and friends, let’s prioritise safety and the methods to stay safe this winter with Isaac Care. Whether at home or out and about, a fall alarm can be a valuable tool in ensuring the well-being of elderly loved ones and those with mobility challenges. Understanding how these falls may occur is vital in preventing them and the correct preventative methods can then be taken on board, ensuring peace of mind for everyone.
Understanding Fall Risks
Understanding fall risks is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety of your loved ones, especially during the holiday season when there may be additional hazards present.
Elderly individuals: Older adults are generally more susceptible to falls due to factors such as reduced balance, muscle strength, and vision.
Individuals with mobility issues: People with conditions like arthritis, parkinson’s disease, or recent surgeries may have impaired mobility, increasing their risk of falling.
Cognitive impairment: Those with conditions like dementia or alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty recognizing hazards, making them more prone to accidents.
Medication use: Certain medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or balance problems, contributing to fall risk.
Fall Prevention Tips
Fall prevention tips are crucial for ensuring an enjoyable winter season, especially for individuals who are at higher risk of falling.
Ensure that walkways, both indoors and outdoors, are clear of obstacles, clutter, and decorations that could be tripping hazards.
Adequate lighting is essential, especially during the darker winter months. Make sure all hallways, staircases, and entryways are well-lit.
Secure rugs and mats to prevent slipping and tripping, or consider removing them altogether.
Encourage the use of mobility aids such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs if needed. Ensure they are in good condition and easily accessible.
Fall Alarms
Fall alarms are specialised devices designed to detect falls or sudden changes in motion and alert caregivers or emergency responders when a fall occurs. They are equipped with sensors, accelerometers, and sometimes additional technologies like GPS to monitor movement and activity. Fall alarms come in various forms, including wearable devices, wall-mounted sensors, or even smartphone apps.
The Isaac Fall Alarm is a smart, easy to use, personal alarm which offers reassurance that loved ones can instantly access help whenever they need it, at the push of a button. It is ideal for people of all ages who are concerned about their wellbeing and safety both at home, and while out and about.
Features of The Isaac Fall Alarm
24/7 support
Personalised Circle of Care App
The Isaac Care fall alarm and app help loved ones to stay independent while at home and while out and about in the community. By harnessing the benefits of assistive technology alongside 24/7 support, Isaac Care ensures that the right care is delivered at the right place and at the right time.
The Circle of Care App
The Isaac Circle of Care app has been designed to support families in caring for their loved ones. Our device connects with our app so that the circle of care is notified immediately when there is an SOS alert. It allows for easy communication and brings together information from our assistive devices into one easy-to-use platform. Our app has been designed for use by both care recipients and carers alike. Each service user has their own profile and can share information within groups known as “circles of care”. Data within the app is kept secure and the user can decide who has access to what data. It has a range of features:
Health tracking.
Real-time GPS notifications.
The Location and Alerts tab allows the user to view the current location of the device, view any alerts and to set GPS zones.
Geofencing zones, which alert the relevant people if the person wanders outside of certain areas, make it ideal for people caring for family members with dementia who may be at risk of wandering.
Fall alarms provide an invaluable safety net that allows loved ones to maintain their independence and gives them a more secure environment to enjoy the festivities without worry. Mitigating the risks associated with falls, can provide a safety net for our elderly loved ones. By alerting caregivers or medical professionals in real-time, they enable swift response and intervention, potentially preventing serious injuries and complications. As we embrace the winter season, let’s prioritise the well-being of our loved ones by considering the implementation of fall alarms, allowing them to enjoy the season with peace of mind.
To learn more about how you or a loved one may benefit from having a fall alarm, please get in touch with us today. We would be glad to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. To order your Isaac Care fall alarm, contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Fall Prevention
Falls can be a significant health hazard for aging adults and even younger individuals with a disability or with medical needs. Occupational therapy interventions have been proven to reduce the frequency of falls and improve overall safety by teaching strategies that build physical and cognitive capabilities, enabling individuals to live more independently at home. The benefits of occupational therapy for fall prevention are numerous and are vital in keeping your loved one safe at home.
Well-designed exercise programmes can reduce the rate of falls by 23 percent and reduce the number of people experiencing one or more falls by 15 percent.
Comprehensive assessment
Occupational therapists conduct comprehensive assessments to identify an individual’s specific fall risk factors. They evaluate physical abilities, balance, coordination, sensory functions, cognitive skills, and the home environment to determine the areas that require intervention. Comprehensive assessment plays a crucial role in determining the specific needs and goals of individuals. Some key aspects of the comprehensive assessment process are:
Medical History: checking medical history to identify any underlying issues that could contribute to falls.
Functional Assessment: evaluate an individual’s functional abilities and limitations related to activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing.
Balance and Mobility Assessment: evaluation of an individual’s balance, coordination, and ability to perform functional movements safely.
Environmental Assessment: assessment of factors that may contribute to falls, such as poor lighting, uneven surfaces, clutter, or inadequate support systems.
Enhancing strength and balance
Occupational therapists use exercises and activities to improve an individual’s strength, balance, and coordination. They focus on improving muscle strength, flexibility, and postural control to enhance overall stability and reduce the risk of falls. The key aspects of this process are:
Balance Training Exercises: improve an individual’s ability to maintain equilibrium during static (stationary) and dynamic (moving) activities. These can involve weight shifting, standing on unstable surfaces, or performing activities that challenge balance.
Coordination Activities: various exercises and games that target hand-eye coordination, bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body simultaneously), and fine motor coordination.
Home Exercise Programs: exercises and activities that can be performed independently at home to maintain and further develop strength and balance.
Home modifications:
Occupational therapists assess the individual’s home environment and recommend modifications to reduce fall hazards. This may include rearranging furniture, removing obstacles, improving lighting, installing grab bars and handrails, and making the bathroom safer. These modifications create a safer living space and reduce the risk of falls. This process includes:
Removing Hazards: addresses potential hazards within the home that can contribute to falls. This may involve removing obstacles such as clutter, loose rugs, or electrical cords that can be tripping hazards.
Improving Lighting: assess the lighting conditions in the home and recommend improvements. This may include adding additional light fixtures, or installing motion sensor lights to ensure lighting in key areas, such as hallways, staircases, and bathrooms.
Modifying Stairs: this may involve adding handrails on both sides of the staircase and ensuring proper handrail height and grip.
Assessing Assistive Devices: evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of assistive devices such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs within the home environment. They ensure that these devices are properly adjusted, well-maintained, and suitable for the individual’s needs.
Isaac Care’s Assistive Services:
• We provide the right care by providing the tools and support people need to access high quality care from the comfort of their own homes. • The Isaac fall alarm is connected to our free family caring app, Isaac Care. • The Isaac Care app is specifically designed around “circles of care”, groups of people involved in the persons’ care. Each circle of care is kept up to date with instant in-app notifications. • The app sends out an instant notification of any fall/SOS alert to the relevant circle of care, while the fall alarm itself initiates a phone call to the designated emergency contact. • It allows the right care to be delivered in the right place, at the right time, providing invaluable peace of mind.
Occupational therapy can be an incredibly useful tool to target fall prevention. It is an effective and creative way to help those who are most at risk of injuries from falls. Investing in occupational therapy is a worthwhile measure that can lead to better health outcomes for those who have an increased risk of falling. Taking action using the many different approaches above can go a long way in keeping everyone safe, secure, and as independent as possible.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
Fall prevention is an important topic for elderly individuals and their family members. As our loved ones age, they are more prone to them for many different reasons. The consequences of this can be severe and debilitating, and injuries can include broken bones, head injuries, and loss of independence. They can also lead to a sense of fear and a depletion of confidence, which can affect their daily activities and overall quality of life. This is why it is important to know how to talk to your loved one about falls.
They can occur for a number of different reasons, such as:
Health factors such as weak muscles and balance and stability issues.
Medication with drowsy side effects.
Visual impairment.
Environmental factors such as uneven carpets or rugs.
They can lead to serious injury and it is important that family members speak to their loved one about how they can be prevented and the potential risks associated with them. It can be difficult to have this conversation, however, at Isaac Care, we want to provide you with some practical strategies on how you can start an open conversation about it with your elderly loved one.
1. Understand and empathise with your loved one
Placing yourself in the shoes of your elderly loved one can help you empathise with their situation and how difficult it may be for them to speak openly about their susceptibility to these kinds of accidents. Being aware of the importance of using an empathetic tone when broaching the subject is key. Having a frank but caring discussion can help ensure that they understand why you are raising this issue.
Respect their wishes and make sure your loved one feels comfortable discussing their concerns and what would work best around their life situation. Showing care and concern while being honest and direct will help create an open dialogue between you and your loved one as you both work towards the same goal.
Make sure to speak to them in the following ways:
Show your concern.
Be honest and direct when needed.
Always remain calm.
Allow them to ask questions and raise any concerns.
Portray empathy towards their situation.
2. Emphasise the importance of preventative measures
Emphasising the importance of prevention is essential. By displaying certain statistics, like the ones in this blog, your elderly loved one will know just how serious this subject matter is. Family members can also demonstrate their willingness to help and can play a vital role in making sure the home is safe by monitoring changes in their physical and/or mental health.
Check lists can be created which allows them to tick off items and ensure that the house is safe each day. Have any spills been wiped up? Are any rugs out of place? Are all the lights plugged in in preparation for night time? Is their walker or crutch on hand in case they need to go to the bathroom in a hurry? All of these questions are vital and can be added to a post-it note and placed somewhere where they can see it each day, such as the refrigerator.
Every year 10% of older people need treatment following an injury. Falls cause 75% of these injuries.
3. Get them involved in prevention strategies
It is important to sit down with your loved one and discuss with them some strategies to put in place. Setting realistic goals with them in their own environment can be very beneficial. By setting realistic goals, you are making sure any prevention strategies will actually be carried out in the correct way. If it is too difficult for them, it should not be part of the strategy.
An example of a difficult goal is to tell them to avoid reaching up to high shelves, even though their plates and cups are placed here. A realistic goal would be to move them into a lower place so they are easily reached and therefore any accidents are avoided.
Prevention Strategies:
1. Clean up any liquid spills immediately. 2. Make sure areas are well lit with proper lighting. 3. Reduce any medication that may cause drowsiness. 4. Install and advise them to use safety grab bars and other assistive devices around the house, especially in the bathroom.
The Isaac Fall Alarm
This alarm is here to alert family members and friends if a fall occurs. It is a smart, easy to use, personal alarm which offers reassurance that your loved one can instantly access help whenever they need it.
It is ideal for people of all ages and their family members who are concerned about their wellbeing and safety both at home and while out and about.
If you are concerned your loved one is at risk, talking to them and making it clear that you want them to remain safe is important. It is also essential to take all of the necessary steps for prevention and with the right information, families can help their loved ones live safely and independently in their own homes as they age.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
I was interested in the pendant from a security point of view and for peace of mind. My mother and father-in-law are both in their 70’s and live quite rural, which is quite a distance away from family members.
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
The best and quickest feature is being able to speak to her quickly, as opposed to traditional fall alarms that just call you.
When my mother-in-law had been feeling unwell, I could reassure her through the pendant that we were on our way and someone would be with her soon. Thankfully she was fine but just to know that she was ok, lucid and able to speak to me was a big thing.
** Most Traditional Fall Alarms are static alarms and do not allow for two-way communication, a call centre will call should the alarm go off.
“The best and quickest feature is being able to speak to her quickly, as opposed to traditional fall alarms that just call you.”
Debbie Curtis
Primary Carer
What’s the biggest change you’ve found since you started using the Pendant?
You don’t worry about them so much because you know they are ok.
My farther in law loves to do some farming and their grounds are quite large. You know that if something happens to them outside of the house they can still be able to quickly make contact with you and you can locate them via the Pendant and the Family care App if they weren’t in the house.
“You know that if something happens to them outside of the house they can still be able to quickly make contact with you and you can locate them .”
Debbie Curtis
Primary Carer
What’s most valuable to yourself and your family about using the Pendant?
The peace of mind is the big thing! Since having it, my mother-in-law had been feeling unwell and it was great she has been able to call me through the pendant
The person I’m caring for has a disability, she needs support and needs to be able to call on that support if an emergency arises. She lives on her own and has a disability, as a family we want to support her independence and make sure she has the support she needs. This is absolutely the kind of device we have been looking for.
“Within seconds I’m speaking directly to her through the pendant as if I was talking to her through a phone”
Padraig O’Hora
Primary Carer
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
It’s the very fact that she can press a button and within seconds I’m speaking directly to her through the pendant as if I was talking to her through a phone, it’s a really strong feature.
What’s the biggest change you’ve found since you started using the Pendant?
I have confidence in the fact that if something happened, she has the ability to immediately contact me and to alert me to the fact she’s in trouble. It’s confidence inspiring to see that the Isaac Pendant two-way communication system does work, that’s the biggest thing for us.
“It’s confidence inspiring to see that the Isaac Pendant two-way communication system does work, that’s the biggest thing for us.”
Padraig O’Hora
Primary Carer
Star Rating
Ah sure It couldn’t be anything less, because it does everything I would want it to do it would have to be 5 stars.
Client Testimonial – Mary Matthews, Isaac Pendant User
What peaked your interest in the Isaac Pendant?
We have one of the traditional landline-based fall alarms out in the hall but it’s not very much good to me. So, when I heard that the pendant can be used outside the house, I thought I’d give that one a go.
*The Isaac Pendant uses a Sim-Card, like a mobile phone, so it can work anywhere in the world.
“I’m quite active and like being out and about so it’s great that it works outside of the house!”
Mary Matthews
Isaac pendant user
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
Oh, being able to bring it with me, I’m quite active and like being out and about so it’s great that it works outside of the house! At the moment I’m alone in the house so every night I have it up in the bedroom with me, it’s very handy, very handy if anything happens.
Is there anything more comfortable or confident doing now with the Pendant?
I bring my mobile phone everywhere with me, but the pendant is instant. If anything happens, I can just press the button and be instantly connected to my two daughters. It’s very fast at connecting.
**The Isaac Pendant works through the push of a button and by detecting a fall, allowing users who may be unable to press the button to send alerts and receive care.
“It’s very handy because it can alarm by itself or by the push of a button.”
Mary Matthews
Isaac Pendant User
Star Rating
5 out of 5, It’s very handy because it can alarm by itself or by the push of a button.
My mother is 80 and in very good health normally, but at Christmas she had a turn and ended up collapsing on the ground, nobody was around. She lives on her own and it was a very frightening experience, we started to worry, what if something worse did happen?
She recovered completely but that’s what started us thinking about getting a fall alarm.
“I’m not particularly tech savvy and I find it really easy to use. I love the zones and being able to see where she is on the map.”
Catherine Rogers
Primary carer
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
My mother is very active and walks everywhere. Before, I was only aware of fall alarms that work inside houses. The fact that this is a mobile fall alarm, and I can set GPS zones is very valuable to me.
Thankfully she hasn’t had to use the pendant, she’s healthy, she hasn’t had any falls or anything, so she hasn’t had to press the pendant looking for assistance. Knowing that it’s there and being able to see that she’s keeping her normal routine is the most valuable thing to us at the minute.
What’s the biggest change you’ve found since you started using the Isaac Pendant?
The pendant is very convenient, I can check if she’s ok without having to ring her. That’s the real change, you find you are depending on it a bit more than before.
“I‘m really delighted with it, it’s really providential”
Catherine Rogers
Primary carer
Star Rating
I’d give it a five-star rating, I’m really delighted with it, I’m not particularly tech savvy and I find it really easy to use. I love the zones and being able to see where she is on the map.
