S. M. A. R. T. Patient Education Pages
Preventing Falls
Page Two - Your Environment
As we age, we don’t bounce back for a fall quite as easily as we did when younger. The bad news is that, for seniors, up to 50% of falls result in injuries. Those injuries range from less serious muscle sprains and strains, through serious bone breaks, to very debilitating head traumas that can permanently reduce independence and mobility. The good news is that experts estimate that more than 90% of falls can be prevented.
On this page we offer our tips for arranging your environment so that it help you prevent falls. On page one of Preventing Falls, see our S.M.A.R.T. tips about how we can help you (and you can help yourself) to improved posture, strength and balance.
LIGHTING
Good lighting is one of the best ways to prevent falls, especially in stairwells.
In addition to good overhead lighting, be sure to put a night light at the top of the stairs.
Keep a flashlight near your bed in case the power goes out.
AIDS
Handrails and grab-bars make bathrooms and stairways safer.
A good pair of lace-up shoes is one of the best aids to good balance and safer movement. They support and cushion your feet, ankles, and knees. High heels, sandals and loose-fitting slippers might cause you to trip and should be avoided.
Have your vision and hearing checked regularly.
Take advantage of every aid available. Glasses, hearing aids and walking and balancing aids make you stronger and safer. Be sure to remove your reading glasses before walking, though!
SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY
Remove clutter everywhere, especially on floors and stairs.
Remove loose area rugs and wires that can catch at feet or slide on the floor.
Immediately wipe up any spills, especially on ceramic floors.
ORGANIZE
Put items you use frequently within easy reach on shelves that are not too high and not too low.
If something is beyond your reach, don’t stand on furniture to reach it. Use a sturdy stepladder, or perhaps you could ask for help.
Leave one hand free to hold on to the handrail when carrying things on the stairs.
AWARENESS
Make good use of that most important asset of all – your mind. Think about what you are doing now, not what came before or will come next.
Slow down. Move at your own speed – one that is comfortable for you.
Be aware of risky situations and hazards.
Be careful around pets. They can tangle you in a leash, knock you off your feet or trip you by getting underfoot when you least expect it.
WINTER SUGGESTIONS
Sprinkle kitty litter, salt, sand or even abrasive cleaner, where you walk and where you get out of the car.
Make sure the tips on canes and crutches are large and spiked for icy conditions.
MEDICINE & ALCOHOL
Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Alcohol reacts poorly with many medications. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if it is safe to drink alcohol while taking your medications and follow their advice.
Drinking alcohol, in itself, can increase the probability of a fall.
GETTING AROUND
Before getting out of the car or a chair, make sure both feet are firmly on the ground.
To prevent dizziness, allow your body sufficient time to adjust to a change in position.
• When rising after lying down, sit first and wait 10 seconds before standing
• When standing after sitting, sit forward and wait 10 seconds before standing.
Dress while sitting rather than standing.
Ask your hairdresser for an extra towel roll for the back of your neck. Extending your neck backwards can cut off circulation to the brain, causing a blackout or even stroke.
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