Tips for Fall Prevention

Caregiver smiling with senior woman The Center for Disease Control has thoroughly outlined the data pertaining to falls and the physical, emotional and economic impact on seniors. Accidents can cause a multitude of injuries including broken bones, surgeries, head injuries and lengthy hospitalizations. Certain health conditions and the physical changes that come with aging can predispose a senior to a fall. In addition, environmental factors are a source of many slips and trips each year. However, the risk of falls can be reduced by understanding the most common causes and taking proper precautions.

Physical Causes

Physical changes that occur with aging can create fall risks for seniors. These risks include:

Vision impairment such as reduced acuity, depth perception and peripheral vision
Muscle weakness
Change in foot sensation from medical conditions such as neuropathy
Decreased sense of balance, sometimes caused by an inner ear condition
Improper footwear
Medication side effects, dehydration

It is important to watch for these changes and address them with your senior loved one promptly. A doctor, nurse, pharmacist, ophthalmologist, and physical therapist are healthcare professionals that may be able to help remediate or minimize these risk factors.

Environmental Causes

Home is where the heart is, but it can also be where certain unwelcome dangers lie. The most common culprits include:

Clutter or cords in the walkways of the home
Improper bathroom set-up including toilets that are too low, slippery tub, lack of grab bars
Low lighting
Throw rugs that are too thick or slide
Chairs on wheels
Use of a step stool to reach items on high shelves
Stairs and/or lack of handrail available near steps

Uneven outdoor surfaces such as sidewalk defects, concrete-to-landscaping edges, and parking lot potholes

Prevention Strategies

A home assessment is a helpful tool to identify and remediate fall risks in the home. This type of assessment can evaluate these hazards and make recommendations for remediation. The most common suggestions include:

Organizing the space and clearing the walkways
Installing bathroom adaptive equipment including:

raised toilet with arm rests
non-slip surface in tub or use of a walk-in shower
shower/tub/toilet grab bars

Improving senior user-friendly lighting including use of night lights and ensuring eyeglasses are functioning properly
Replacing rolling chairs with non-rolling chairs that have arms
Relocating commonly used items from higher shelves to lower shelves to prevent use of a step ladder
Consulting with a physical therapist for proper footwear, possible use of balance-enhancing adaptive equipment, such as a cane or rolling walker, and for lower body strengthening and balance exercises
Enlisting the assistance of a contractor to securely install handrails, railings or grab bars

When facilitating these changes to the home, your senior loved one’s input is extremely important. Asking their opinion and including them in the decision-making process can make all the difference in how they respond to the changes.

Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Program

How can Visiting Angels help? We take fall prevention very seriously which is why we offer the Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Program. In collaboration with your senior loved one’s healthcare providers, our caregivers provide the follow-through education, practice, and support right onsite. Please contact us today to learn more about Visiting Angels’ mission to prevent falls and ensure your loved one stays in the comfort of their home for many years to come.