When a parent falls it sets off a cascading series of events that can adversely transform not just their life but those of family and friends. Yet many of these accidents and their ugly aftermaths are totally unnecessary.

Research shows that most (70-80 percent) of elderly falls occur at home. Furthermore, the likelihood of a fall dramatically increases when in-home hazards exist and / or steps haven’t been taken to eliminate or reduce exposure to them.

In other words, the adult children of elderly parents have two choices: go into reactive mode after a fall has taken place and do their best to pick up the pieces, or assume a proactive stance and work with mom and dad to reduce the likelihood of an in-home fall.

Most In-Home Falls are Preventable

Here’s how the typical in-home fall occurs. Dad steps out of the shower and slips on wet tile; mom’s medication makes her lightheaded as she rises from the toilet; dad’s ‘football’ knee acts up as he descends the stairs; mom toe catches on the edge of the kitchen rug. And so on.

Out goes the call: “Mom fell.”

And just like that, multiple lives that only a moment earlier were busily expressing themselves in countless ways come to a halt and instead coalesce around a hospital room. From there it may be surgery, long-term convalescence, or a move to an elder care facility.

Build a Proactive Elder Care Plan

Now imagine that a week before that fall one of the visiting adult children gazes about the home and suggests that it’s time to make a few changes. Non-slip pads are placed in the bathroom, a taller toilet is installed along with grab bars; a second parallel railing is added to the stairway for extra support; the kitchen rug is removed. In other words, every hazard is removed or risk planned for.

And while we can’t go back in time, if mom or dad is able to return home other steps can be taken to help them remain at home and ‘age in place’ (doors widened, grab bars installed, a walk-in shower built).

Simply put, some basic proactive planning can eliminate so much of the pain and suffering that comes with post-fall reactions.