Fall Prevention
- Posted on: Aug 18 2020
Why is Fall Prevention important?
Preventing falls in the elderly is incredibly important as the risk of falling increases with increasing age and poses a significant risk to the health of an elderly adult. As adults age, decreased in agility, loss of balance and coordination, and worsening vision can all lead to significant fall risk. Additionally, as adults age, the risk of serious and lasting impact from a fall increases.
What are some risk factors for Falls?
Risk Factors for falls include:
- Increasing age
- Medication use such as benzodiazepines, anti-psychotics, sedatives, opioids.
- Cognitive impairment
- Dementia
- Sensory deficits
- Alcohol use
- Decrease in physical fitness
- Impaired vision
- Illness
- Chronic conditions such as diabetes
How to help Fall Prevention?
In order to help you or your loved one prevent a serious fall, sit down, and review any risk factors and assess your environment for potential risks to falling. Go through your house to check for anything that may pose a threat and try to find ways to help eliminate those risks and create a safe living environment.
Other ways to help prevent falls include:
- Reviewing medications with your practitioner to assess for medications that may put you at risk
- Clear your home of clutter to prevent tripping
- Have an annual vision and hearing assessment
- Install handrails and grab bars in areas such as stairs and bathrooms
- Make sure that there is adequate lighting in your home
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Avoid over the counter sleep aids or medications that increase drowsiness
- Avoid wearing long or baggy clothes that may put you at risk for tripping
- Avoid uneven terrain or if necessary, proceed with extra caution
- Wear shoes that give both support and stability, avoid wearing heeled shoes
- Live in a home that has only one floor to avoid risk involved with stairs
- Avoid standing up quickly from a sitting or supine position to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure
- Avoid moving too quickly
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