How to help your elderly relative rebuild their confidence after a fall

Now that winter has arrived, you might be worried about a relative having a fall, especially since paths will be slippery, the sun sets sooner, so there’s less visibility and there are more hazards such as leaves, snow and slush hiding uneven pavements.

As you grow older the risk of a fall becomes increasingly higher. This is because of aging and long-term health conditions. Most falls don’t result in any serious injuries, but they can lead to broken bones which can take longer to heal because of your age and can make you more cautious when trying to live your day-to-day life.

According to the NHS, falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people. They estimate around 30% of people over 65 and around 50% of those aged 80 years old will experience at least one fall per year.

A survey commissioned by Age UK found that over 36% of older people placed falling over at the top of their list of concerns.

If you’re concerned about elderly family members, there are lots of way to make their home more accessible and to talk to your GP for advice.

If your relative has had a fall and is now in recovery, building their confidence back up is crucial for them to continue their life. A fall can affect confidence by triggering anxiety, creating a fear for potential future falls and can create a loss of self-assurance in their physical abilities. But, if you want to prepare for when the time comes, find some advice below.

• Show empathy to their situation and let them talk about the fall and how the fall made them feel. Listen without rushing and validate their feelings so they know their emotions are normal. This will tighten their trust with you, making it easier for your relative to open up in the future, or if they need to tell you extra information about their wellness. Building trust will help provide your family member with the care and support they deserve.
• Make sure to talk about their fears honestly and communicate openly, especially if they need support workers or more doctor appointments. Having open communication is key to understanding what your relative needs are and working through obstacles, like your relative regaining their confidence.
• Involve your relative in decision making and let them participate in decisions about their recovery, daily routines and anything bigger, like the conversation around whether a care home might be their next step or if they can continue to manage independently.
• Your relative will feel upset and will have lost trust in their own abilities. Shift their mindset from their limitations to what they can do. Focus on their achievements, celebrate small successes, like the first brew they make, to the larger goals, like their first big food shop.
• Avoid being overprotective and encourage your relative to continue living their life. Whilst it’s natural to want to prevent another fall, being overly cautious can make your relative feel helpless and overly dependent.
• Your relative might end up feeling isolated or cooped-in as they recover from their fall, encouraging them to pick up social activities or arranging for the family to pop up once a week can really help. Support groups for people who have experienced falls can be extremely helpful as they connect your relative with people who share experiences and can give advice.

• After a fall, your relative might have to be in hospital for a little while or begin their recovery at home. Consult a professional, like their doctor, to rule out any underlying health conditions. The doctor might recommend a physical or occupational therapist to rebuild strength and balance.
• Once your relative has the all-clear, encourage them to take up gentle, regular exercises, like walking, seated stretches and yoga, or classes designed for seniors. Keeping active helps muscle strength and improves balance and co-ordination.
• Make them feel safe at home and work together to identify fall hazards, like clutter, loose rugs, poor lighting. Make sure everything they need is in easy-to-reach locations and remove any reason for your relative to have to balance on a stool or reach high places. If it feels unsuitable for your relative to be living independently, reach out to care services to see what type of support there is for your peace of mind.
• Set their home up with medical alert technology. This can be as simple as a personal panic button to call for help when your relative is in need, or to monitoring systems with a phone app.

At HSL, all our chairs are designed to be comfortable, reliable and are approved by our independent Occupational Therapist. If your relative is showing signs of aging, furniture can be a huge boost to their wellbeing. After a fall, our Riser Recliner Chairs are the perfect option for adding stability to their day, with their rise to feet function and upgrades including heat pads to help with injury and wooden knuckles for extra grip when standing.

If your relative needs support for a longer period of time and you’re looking to support them in your own home, there’s a range of Adjustable Beds, so your relative is supported and comfortable whilst they recover.

Rebuilding the confidence of someone you love after a fall can take time and patience. With lots of emotional support and the right environment, your relative will be able to overcome this life obstacle.

For more Wellness advice and tips, check out our Feel Good Hub. Enjoy these related articles below:

• Essential tips for caring for elderly parents at home
• Understanding mobility issues in the elderly
• How the correct chair can improve mobility and independence