Have you experienced recent missteps or loss in balance recently? Falls are one of the most common reasons for hospitalizations and hip fractures in the elderly. In 2013, 2.5 million nonfatal falls among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 734,000 of these patients were hospitalized1. As we get older and remain more independent in our homes, fall risks and fall prevention strategies must be in the forefront of our minds. Fall risks can be environmental or physical. Some environmental risk factors include rugs, bathmats, poor lighting, uneven or loose steps. Physical factors include taking more than 5 medications, blood pressure that drops when you lay down or sit up, loss of leg or arm strength, foot problems and vision problems. Even if your recent fall did not cause an injury tell your doctor about it. A trained physical therapist may help you with restoring balance, strength and teach you how to safely stand on your own after a fall.
In the meantime here are a couple of tips to prevent falls outside and inside your home:
Outside:
- Turn on the light outside your front door before leaving your home in the early evening so that you have outdoor light when you return after dark.
- Use a shoulder bag, fanny pack or a backpack purse to leave your hands free.
- Use a walker or cane as needed.
- Find out about community services that can provide help, such as 24-hour pharmacies and grocery stores that take orders by phone or internet and deliver, especially in poor weather.
- Stop at curbs and check the height before stepping up or down. Be careful at curbs that have been cut away to allow access for bikes or wheelchairs. The incline may lead to a fall.
- Consider wearing hip protectors or hip pads for added protection should you fall.
Inside:
- Place items you use most often within easy reach. This keeps you from having to do a lot of bending and stooping.
- Use assistive devices to help avoid strain or injury. For example, use a long-handled grasping device to pick up items without bending or reaching. Use a pushcart to move heavy or hot items from the stove or countertop to the table.
- If you must use a stepstool, use a sturdy one with a handrail and wide steps.
- If you live alone, consider wearing a personal emergency response system (PERS). Also consider having a cordless telephone or cell phone to take from room to room so you can call for help if you fall.
1Web–based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)[online]. Accessed May 27, 2015.
