 |
Falls Prevention
Falls are predictable and preventable! Falls are not a normal part
of aging. Rather, they are predictable and preventable events. Falls
can cause serious injury and even death in the senior population
(65+). The easiest way to decrease the risk of falling is to make
your home safe. By using the following easy tips, you can help
protect yourself, or someone you love from falling.
(The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse [Online].
2005 [2007 Nov12] Available from: URL:
http://www.onpea.org/en/Home.htm)
|
|
Safety Tips for the Home
|
 |
Look First
Assess Your Home for Hazards
By assessing your home, you will be able to eliminate potential
hazards and reduce your risk of falling. Remove Clutter Indoors.
Check pathways, including halls and stairs. Make sure they are free
of objects such as: cords, boxes, family pet accessories and other
items that could be a tripping hazard.
Outdoors - Make certain that
walkways and stairs are free of leaves, water, ice, and snow. It is
also important to keep both indoor and outdoor pathways well lit.
|
|
 |
Wear the Gear
Light Up the Night. Keep a lamp at your
bedside so you can turn it on before you get out of
bed, to prevent stumbling in the dark.
Keep a
flashlight and phone within reach of the bedside, in
case of emergencies. |
|
 |
Get Trained
Use Assistive Devices Correctly. Make sure
that you know how to use the devices, that they
are installed properly, and that they have been
adjusted to meet your needs. Wear personal
emergency response devices if needed.
Secure
Rugs. Use mats with a non-skid backing and
secure them to the floor. For better safety,
remove scatter mats from your home completely.
|
|
|
Safety Tips for Yourself
|
 |
Look First
Plan Ahead. Take your time and plan
out your day to avoid rushing around. Move
slowly when getting up from your chair or
bed to prevent dizziness.
Have Regular
Health Check–Ups with your health care
provider. Changes in vision, hearing, bone
and muscle function can lead to falls.
|
|
 |
Wear the Gear
Wear supportive shoes. Wear
no-skid, properly fitting footwear both
indoors and outdoors. |
|
 |
Get Trained
Know your limits for physical
activity and know when to ask for
assistance.
Be Physically Active
-
Regular physical activity can help
strengthen muscles and bones and
improve coordination.
Choose
Healthy Foods
from the Canada Food Guide. This
will ensure your body is getting all
the essential nutrients, which will
reduce fatigue.
Medications
- Talk
with your health care provider and
pharmacist about all your
medications, including: prescription
medication, over-the-counter
medication, vitamins, and herbal
remedies.
|
|
 |
Stay Sober
Use Medication Safely
-
Use your medication as directed
and know how they affect you and
what affect alcohol can have on
them.Alcohol affects your
coordination and balance,
increasing your risk of falling. |
|
If You Fall
If you fall, try to land on your buttocks to help
prevent serious injury. Take your time before getting up. Make sure
you have not injured yourself. This will help to prevent further
injury. If you are injured, seek medical assistance. Try not to let
the fear of falling stop you from being active because inactivity
increases your risk of falling.
Other Resources and Information Links
Smart Risk is
a non-profit organization that provides information and services
that prevent injuries and save lives.
Aging and Seniors - The Safe Living Guide
is a home safety checklist produced by the Public Health Agency of
Canada to help reduce the risk of injury in the home.
Aging and Seniors-
12 Steps to Stair Safety at Home
is a checklist used to assess the safety of the stairs in your home.
Seniors Aging- Preventing Falls in and around Your Home
is an article which discusses ways to reduce the risk of falls in
the home and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s role in falls
prevention.
• To the top |
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District
Health Unit -
Home Page 