Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From Falls

Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition

 

When it comes to protecting your health and the health of your loved ones, fall prevention should be a top priority. Many people mistakenly believe that the risk of falls is only a concern for those aged 60 and older. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 35 percent and 40 percent of all emergency room visits for fall-related injuries involve school-age children, weekend do-it-yourselfers, amateur athletes, and even individuals who have tripped over the family pet. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths. In 2008 alone, approximately two million adults 70 and older were the victims of falls. 

 

Injuries associated with falls cause challenges both for the injured individual as well as his/her family caregiver. Fall-related injuries can limit independent living. For example, someone who breaks a leg as a result of a fall may now need help walking, bathing, and going up and down stairs. All of this, of course, adds to the duties of the family caregiver. Just the fear of falling can result in a limitation in activity and that alone may lead to more responsibilities for the family caregiver.

 

What can families do to reduce the risk of falls for everyone in the home? As a family, use these basic guidelines to safe proof your home and to safeguard your family:­

 

Make Your Home Safer

· As a team, remove paper, book stacks, and all other clutter from the living room, bedroom, hallways and stairways — anywhere in the home where the potential for falls exists. Move furniture out of pathways and make sure that your mobility around your home is not hindered in any way. Pay special attention to the stringing of electrical cords or phone cords across walkways.

· Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks, or a slip-resistant backing. Use nonslip mats in the bathtub or shower. Review those areas in the shower or bathtub where grab bars would be useful.

· Have everyone in the home review their footwear choices, and not just for fashion. Avoid floppy slippers and shoes with smooth soles that can weaken a firm footstep. Notice where medications may have changed your loved one’s shoe size, as specific medications can cause swelling that enlarges a shoe size.

· As we age, a reduced amount of light reaches the back of the eye where color and motion are sensed. To avoid tripping, use 100-watt bulbs to maintain the illumination of areas in your home where falls are likely to occur. Install a lamp near your bed so you can use it when you get up at night. And install night-lights in the bedroom, bathroom, and hallways.

 

Review Your Medications

· With the assistance of a physician, review your and your loved one’s health profile and medications to identify conditions that make you both vulnerable to falling. Include all prescription and over-the-counter medications, plus the dosages, as well as any herbal supplements you are using. Be on the lookout for side effects and interactions that may increase the risk of falling.

· Talk with your doctor about any episodes of vertigo or shortness of breath, as these may impact your or your loved one’s balance and ability to walk.

 

Increase Your Physical Activity

· To increase everyone’s muscle strength and overall body conditioning, it helps to get regular exercise. Consider activities such as walking or yoga that you can do at home — anything that promotes gentle movement. Physical activity helps to reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. 

 

These simple fall-prevention tips can be the keystones for preventing falls in the home, for all ages.

 

The Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition (NVFPC) works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to educate Virginia organizations and individuals about fall prevention. To learn more, go to www.nvfpc.org or www.cdc.gov

Comments

[David Barry]

As a provider of safety products and services for seniors in the Boston area, I see firsthand how awareness and careful planning can greatly reduce the risk of falls around the home. Starting with a home safety assessment, you can reliably improve the level of safety, comfort, and mobility in your home. But you must act on the recommendations and alter them as the environment changes.

And for safety's sake, don't disregard grab bars for stability just because you think they make your bathroom or home look like an institution. I’ve heard that argument many times. Remember, safety comes first and there are so many attractive options available out there.