PREVENTING FALLS
How to Prevent Falls in the Home
Falls can happen without warning and can be a serious event in anybody’s life. They occur when balance, strength, senses and environmental factors place a person at risk. Balance is related to the level of a person’s activity and can be improved with exercise. Tai Chi has been proven to be especially helpful. Strength can be improved with exercise at any stage of life or health. In the case of women, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis may be critical. It is rarer in men, but osteoporosis can occur in them also. A thirty minute walk daily, in one or two installments goes a long way in keeping anyone healthy. Weight gain increases your risk for a fall, so attention to weight control is also important. Every two years a vision check can help detect problems that could lead to a fall! Of course, attention to hearing problems, and wearing hearing aids if you need them is a must. Here are some recommendations for keeping your environment safe, and remember, "be careful out there".
Medications
Talk with your health care provider if you notice that you are dizzy or confused and suspect that this may be due to side effects of medication.
Footwear
Wear shoes that have a sturdy, solid sole. Avoid high-heeled, ill-fitting or slick soled shoes. Do not walk around in stocking feet or slippers that do not offer traction.
Lighting
Make sure you have proper lighting in all areas of your home and that you can reach the light switch easily without having to fumble in the dark. Night lights in the bedroom or bathroom make it easier to see your path in the middle of the night without the bright lights blinding you. Install a simple light timer that can save you a trip to another part of the house to turn off a light or will be welcoming light if you come home after dark unexpectedly.
Flooring
Remove scatter rugs or runners. You could hood your foot under the edge and lose your balance or the rug could slip underneath you if it is not anchored by a non-slip backing. Do not store things on the floor that can become a falling risk. Consider keeping a flashlight at your bedside in case you cannot reach a light or a bulb burns out. Keep fresh batteries too!
The Bathroom
If you have trouble getting on or off the toilet, buy a device to raise the seat from a medical supply store. If you need to make frequent trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you may want to buy a portable commode (also available in medical supply stores). Suction mats should be used in the tub to prevent slippage. Grab bars next to the tub in a comfortable location will assist you in getting out of the tub safely.
The Kitchen
Make sure you can easily reach everything you need to use. Reaching too high or standing on a step stool can cause you to lose your balance. If the kitchen floor gets wet, dry it immediately so you don’t slip and fall.
Many of these suggestions may seem simplistic but really are issues or factors leading to increased risk of falls.
The information contained in this topic is based on current medical literature and on physician review. However, because an accurate medical diagnosis depends on many factors, including each patient’s unique medical history, the use of this information is not intended to replace the advice of your provider.
Written by: Winhard U. Bohme, M.D. and Pam Devisser, FNP
Click here to view and print our
fall safety reminder sheet provided by Northwest Therapy
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