Fall Prevention 101

by Lori Deschene

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Elderly Fall Prevention: Slippers and Rugs

“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Anyone who owned a TV in the nineties remembers the elderly woman who fell and couldn’t reach the phone but needed to alert the paramedics. Aside from being a memorable piece of pop culture history, this phrase serves as a reminder that seniors are at serious risk of injuries, and in some cases, death, from falling. After my grandmother had open-heart surgery this year, my parents cleared the candles and magazines out of my old room so they could keep an eye on her during her recovery process. Although I had no problem lending her my stuffed animals, this did beg the question: how safe will she be when she returns home?

According to a new report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 33 percent of Americans over 65 experience at least one serious fall each year. The same study reports that deadly falls for seniors increased by more than 55 percent between 1993 and 2003, establishing falling as the leading cause of death among the elderly. To address this issue, many adult day care programs, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have implemented the Falling Star program, which employs a discreet method of identifying seniors at high risk for falling. By placing star-shaped magnets or stickers on residents’ doors, staff members can alert their colleagues to a resident’s tendency to fall. The same goes for adult day care participants who are prone to falls; usually they’re given a sticker to wear when they arrive.

With 60 percent of all falls happening at home, it is crucial that seniors, their loved ones and home health care providers take precautions to prevent an avoidable injury by increasing home safety. Installing nightlights, handrails on staircases, and non-slip mats in bathtubs and showers will safeguard the home environment to a degree. However, it’s also important to keep electrical wiring either stapled along the walls or secured under furniture, which should be arranged to provide ample walking space. Throw rugs and loose carpet should either be secured to the floor or removed completely. And although slippers may be comfortable, it’s advisable to wear sturdy shoes with non-slip soles. Seniors can also do their part keeping phones in every room in the house, practicing tai chi or yoga to improve balance and strength, and by getting routine eye and ear exams. For a comprehensive listing of products to assist in fall-proofing your home, visit the Rehab Mart Discount Medical Equipment website.

Reach for the stars, but don’t fall like one—

Lori Deschene

Posted in: Adapting Your Home, Emergencies, Fall Prevention, Home Safety & Fall Prevention