What causes falls in the elderly and how can I help prevent a fall?
Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix.
Falls are the top cause of accidents in people over age 65. Falls are also the main cause of serious injuries and accidental deaths in older people.
Even older people who appear to be strong and well can fall. Falling is a real threat to their ability to live on their own.
What are some causes of falls?
The normal changes of aging, like poor eyesight or poor hearing, can make you more likely to fall. Illness and physical condition can affect your strength and balance. Poor lighting ot throw rugs in the home can make them more likely to trip or slip.
The side effects of some medicines can upset the balance and make them fall. Medicines for depression, sleep problems and high blood pressure often is the cause of falls. Some medicines for diabetes and heart conditions can also make unsteady on your feet.
Clients may be more likely to fall if they are taking four or more medicines. They are also likely to fall if there has been a change in the medication within the past two weeks.
Help can be done by simply looking around the house or place of residence by using this fall prevention checklist:
Check that pets are not in your way.
Check that you are not dizzy before starting to move.
Stand up slowly and walk carefully.
Check clutter to prevent slipping or tripping:
- keep clutter out of pathways
- keep e;ectrical cords out of the flow of traffic
Check all rugs, runners, and mats to prevent slipping or tripping.
- Rugs and runners tend to slide. Double-faced adhesive carpet tape or rubber mats can be used to prevent rugs from sliding. tack down carpet edges to avoid tripping or remove throw rugs.
- watch each step as you move to different surfaces.
Check the telephone so they can get help:
- Locate the telephone where it is accessible in the event of an accident that may leave the client unable to stand.
- Suggest by buying cordless phone to keep with them as they move about.
- Post emergency numbers near the phone
- Suggest using a medical alert call button system. It is a good safety feature to have.
Check cupboards and closets to ensure self-storage:
- Organize cupboards and closets. Place frequently used items on shelves between waist and shoulder level to prevent climbing or stooping which may risk in a fall.
- If they need to reach a high shelf, is there a sturdy stool.
Check the bathroom to prevent slips and falls:
- Equip bathtubs and showers with non-skid mats and adhesive strips to prevent slipping.
- Is there grab bars? They help client get in and out of the tub or shower safely. They also help prevent falls.
- Locate a light switch ( a glowing switch that can be seen in the dark ) near the entrance of the bathroom. Nightlights are helpful too.
- Suggest a shower bench to bathe.
RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care is committed to Fall Prevention at home for Sarasota and Manatee County senior residents. We provide a free in-home fall risk assessment done by our experienced clinicians to assist the elderly in keeping them safe at home and free from fall. A comprehensive fall assessment tool is used to find out what causes falls in the elderly at home and how we can help to prevent a fall. The clinician will inform seniors any modifications necessary depending on the outcome and degree of risk of the senior for falling. RIGHT ACCORD’s mission is to keep elderly in their homes as long as they possibly can.
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