Fall Prevention

We all are at risk, but the more we know we are better off, understanding the whys and why not is what will help, so take steps to prevent falls. For all caregivers out there, always review and evolve within the patient, sometimes you may do something that is not on the books and it is a great hint, to share your ideas on our social media pages. Here I put together 13 ideas.

  1. Exercise to get stronger, by being active helps to improve strength and balance.
  2. Review your medication with your healthcare provider review all your medications.
  3. Keep pathways clear, remove clutter from the home.
  4. Have your vision check regularly.
  5. Wear well-fitting shoes these are very important not to tie very strong or very loose your sneaker and whenever you can use the velcrons type (stay away from sleepers).
  6. Remove throw rugs and eliminate slippery flooring.
  7. Make sure all around the home you have adequate lighting, if you are to wake in the middle of the night to go bathroom have a well-light hallway with night lights.
  8. In your bathroom, if you have a tube or stall have a crab bar and a shower chair, also I would put in a shower mat to assist.
  9. In the kitchen avoid area rugs, they can catch in your shoes and make your trip and fall if you have a low cabinet (under the sink) have a stool to sit on instead to bend.
  10. If your home is a second store consider using the office as your bedroom avoiding going up the stairs.
  11. Carry your phone with you, sometimes you may lock yourself outside the house (done that a few times myself) and when you are in the bathroom or kitchen with slippery floors.
  12. These tips may be seen as a bit controversial when I used to work with families and their loved ones at home, when I had to go down to the basement to do some laundry, I request and was granted permission for a baby monitor to assist me within monitoring my patient in case I had to run to the situation.
  13. When drying or dressing sit down, never try to hurry, and always have devices that can help you put on socks and shoes without bending forward.