Fall is on its way! The weather may not be cooler yet, but the first official day of fall begins Fall Prevention Week in September.
Every year thousands of senior adults experience a fall that can cause lasting health issues, loss of independence, and sometimes even loss of life. 1 in 3 Americans over the age of 65 will fall in any given year, and 60% of the time, that fall will occur at home.1
Here at North Surgical Center, we want to help you beat those odds! These 7 tips will help your home be safer and help you avoid falling.
- Tripping Hazards: Tripping hazards can come in many forms. Check for rugs that move easily or have curled edges, loose carpet, or electrical cords that run across the floor. These tripping hazards can cause a fall and should be removed.
- Lighting: A room with low lighting can make seeing difficult. Make sure that your rooms have adequate lighting – especially hallways or stairs. Keep a lamp by your bed so that if you have to get up in the middle of the night, you can move around safely.
- Storage: There are things we need everyday. Those essentials should be stored in an easy to reach cabinet, closet, or drawer. This will help you avoid trying to get in hard to reach places which may cause you to lose your balance and fall.
- Clutter: Make sure that piles of paper or magazines aren’t left on the floor where you could trip over them. Small plants or objects should be moved against a wall or into a corner leaving open floor space for you to walk.
- Assistive Devices: Installing assistive devices in your home can help tremendously. A handrail for stairs, grab bars in the bathroom, non-slip mats in the shower or tub can all help you keep your balance and provide a little extra assistance when you need it most.
- Shoes: Supportive, well-fitting shoes are also important. Socks or stockings that are worn alone pose a slipping hazard on any surface. Finding shoes with a non-skid sole can also help you avoid slips and falls.
- Well Checks: This one might surprise you, but seeing your doctor annually can help detect issues that might cause you to fall. For example, diminishing eyesight, low blood pressure, or bone health can all contribute to falling. You should also discuss the medications you are taking as some may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Falls happen, but they aren’t an inevitable part of life. Use these tips to help you and your home be safer.
At North Central Surgical Center, our mission is to treat each and every one of our patients and their families as if they were our own family member. Each patient, each family, each and every time.
1www.hss.edu/conditions_addressing-falls-prevention-older-adults-understanding.asp
