What YOU Can Do to Avoid Falls at Home
A Fall Prevention Home Program
Why should I learn about how to prevent falls?
- Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths.
- Falls are the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital stays related to trauma.
- Wisconsin rates #2 in the nation for the highest rates of death from falls.
- Older adults are at a three times greater risk for falls when they first return home from the hospital.
What can I do to prevent myself from falling?
Research has shown that with these four steps, a person is able to decrease their chance of falling.
- Begin a routine fitness program.
- Create a safe home.
- Have your medicines reviewed by your doctor.
- Have routine vision checks.
Step One: Begin a routine fitness program.
Routine exercise lowers your chances of falling by making you stronger. It also gives you better balance, and coordination. Talk to your doctor about exercises that would be right for you.
Step Two: Create a safe home.
Almost half of all falls occur at home. There are many steps that a person can take to increase safety in the home and decrease the chance of falls.
Lighting
- Make sure all living areas are well lit with light switches at every doorway.
- Make sure stairways and steps are well lit.
- Install night lights along walkways from bedroom to bathroom.
- Have battery-powered nightlights and flashlights in many places of your home in case of a power failure.
- Have a small flashlight within easy reach of your bed.
Contrast Colors
- Do not use colors from the same hues such as blues and purples for contrasts.
- Make sure the color of your furniture does not blend into the carpet.
- Make sure toilet is a different color than bathroom walls and floors.
Footing
- Attach handrails near all steps, toilets, and tubs or showers.
- Use only bathroom mats with a rubber backing.
- Place no-slip mats in all showers and tubs.
- Remove all small throw rugs or make sure they are well attached to the floor.
- Carpet over any floor spaces between rooms that are not even.
- Wear low-heeled shoes with rubber soles that provide good support. Avoid wearing only socks, smooth-soled shoes, or slippers.
Walking/Getting Around
- Keep common walking paths clear of furniture, plants, and electric or phone cords.
- Clean up all spills and pick up shoes, clothes, or any other objects that could make you trip.
- Be extra careful outdoors when the ground is wet or icy.
- Remove any low-level tables, furniture with sharp edges or glass panels, and furniture that may tip over or move if used for support.
- Tack down all the carpet edges.
- If a cane or walker has been recommended, use it to increase your balance.
- When bending over to pick up items from the floor or a lower level like a step or low shelf, use one hand on counter top, furniture or walker for support. When you can, use a reacher.
- Use a reacher rather than standing on a stool to get something from above.
- If you must use a safety step stool, use one with wide steps, a nonskid surface on the stops, and a high handle to use as a stabilizer bar.
- Avoid rushing to answer the phone or doorbell. A portable phone that you can take from room to room with you is a good idea for security and safety.
- Get up slowly from sitting, lying down, or squatting. If you become dizzy or light headed wait for it to pass before you move.
Step Three: Have your medicines reviewed by your doctor.
The drugs prescribed for you are meant to improve your health. Sometimes, these drugs, or the mixture of two or more drugs, may have side effects that make you sleepy or feel lightheaded. This can lead to a fall. For this reason, it is vital to have your doctor review your drugs with you.
- When you start a new drug, be sure the pharmacist or doctor knows about all of the other drugs (including over-the-counter ones) you are taking. This will help them to be sure that the new drug will not react with your others.
- Every so often, have your doctor review all of the drugs you take (including over-the-counter ones) to look for drug interactions.
- If you are prescribed a new drug and notice that it is causing you to become lightheaded or dizzy, let your doctor know.
Step Four: Have routine vision checks.
Vision trouble such as glaucoma, cataracts, or near or far sightedness can lead to not being able to see clearly. Bifocal, multifocal, and progressive lenses may impair depth perception, leading to falls. Routine eye exams can detect and treat these issues.
Resources
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/falls.htm
www.healthinaging.org/public_education/falls_index.php
Fall Prevention Questions
Please choose the best response to each question below.
Starting a routine fitness program
- I have an exercise program.
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Routine exercise has been shown to decrease the fall rate in older people. This is due to increased balance, strength, and coordination.
Creating a Safe Home
- As I walk through my house, I slip or trip on low furniture, cords, rugs, or other clutter.
Never Rarely Once a week More than once a week
Keeping a clear walking path through your house helps reduce falls. If furniture is in the way, ask someone to move it for you. If cords, rugs, or other clutter is present, find another place for them where they do not cross your walking path.
- As I walk through my house, there are sturdy things I can grab onto while I move from room to room.
Everywhere Most places Sometimes Few thing to steady me
Having sturdy things to grab onto if you lose your balance helps prevent falls. Setting up your house in a way that allows you to have sturdy things to hold on to while walking is one way to reduce your chance of falling.
- My house is well lit when I am walking through it.
Always Almost always Sometimes Often dark
Keeping your house well lit in all places is one way to prevent falls. If there are areas that are not well lit, have someone install more lights. If any of your light bulbs are burnt out, have a friend or family member replace them.
- I walk around my house in shoes, not in socks or slippers.
Always Almost always Sometimes Rarely
Socks and slippers may increase your risk of slipping and falling. Shoes with good support and non-slip soles are the best things to wear to prevent falls.
- I slip or have trouble getting on or off the toilet.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Mounting grab bars in the bathroom can help when you are getting on or off the toilet.
- I slip or have trouble getting in or out of the bath or shower.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Mounting grab bars in the bathroom can help you get in or out of the shower. Also, be sure there is no water on the floor where you are going to be walking.
- I slip or have trouble with stairs in my house.
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Fix loose steps or steps that are not even. Try putting bright paint or tape at the edge of each step in order to more easily see one step from the next. Make sure that there are handrails on both sides of the stairs.
- Objects such as books, papers, or shoes are kept on my stairs.
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Objects on the stairs can increase your risk of falls. Find a new place to store objects.
- I have light switches at the entrance to rooms.
Some rooms Most rooms All rooms
Being able to see clearly what is in a room before going into it is one way to reduce falls. If all rooms do not have a light switch at the entrance, consider hiring someone to install one.
Having your medicine reviewed by your doctor
- When I get a new drug, I have a pharmacist or doctor review all of my medicines for problems if they are mixed.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Having a doctor or pharmacist review all of your drugs may prevent side effects such as feeling tired or dizzy which could lead to falls.
- I have my doctor or pharmacist review my current drugs and check for drug interactions
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Having a doctor or pharmacist review all drugs may prevent side effects such as feeling tired or dizzy which could lead to falls.
Having routine vision checks
- I have my vision screened.
Every 10 years Every 5 years Every 2 years Every year
Yearly vision screens are vital for diagnosing and treating problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, and far or near sightedness, all of which can lead to falls.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 12/29/2010
Copyright © 01/03/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5841
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