Fall Prevention. How to Stay Safe

As you get older, falling down can become a life threatening risk. In some seniors, fear of falling can overtake their life to the point, they become inactive. In this month’s blog, we want to discuss fall prevention strategies.

Keep Active

Physical activity as you age plays a major factor in developing a fall prevention plan. Gentle exercises, help keep your strength up, as well as improve your balance, coordination and flexibility. 

Avoiding activity in order to prevent falls will have the opposite effect. Becoming sedentary leads to muscle weakness, dizziness upon standing, loss of balance, and loss of corrdination.

Shoes

Walking around the house barefoot, in slippery slippers, or shoes with slick soles can lead to a fall. Instead, wear sturdy shoes with nonskid soles.

Sensible shoes should also help reduce joint and back pain.

Remove Obstacles

Clear pathways in the home. Go through the home and remove any magazine racks, foot rests, dog beds, etc that are blocking clear pathways.

Perform test runs from the bed to the bathroom, from the living room to the kitchen, etc. Make sure your common paths to all areas of the home are free and clear of:

• Electrical cords

• Boxes

• Coffee tables

• End tablesChairs

You may have to rearrange the home a little bit, but it’s important to make sure pathways that accommodate daily routines are easy to navigate.

Bathroom

The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous places for a fall to happen. Please consider the following precautions:

• Install nonslip bath mats

• Secure rugs

• Add grab bars to the bathtub

• Add a bath seat to sit while showering

• Add armrests to toilet seat

• Hand held shower nozzle

A Little Lagniappe

Don’t just get rid of clutter but take the time to make your routines more convenient:

• Store clothes, dishes and food items in easy to reach places.

• Place lamps within easy reach.

• Keep flashlights in easy to reach places in case of outages.

• Utilize nightlights throughout the home – hallways, bathrooms, and along pathways.

• Use handrails on both sides of any stairways.

We don’t want to see anyone lose their freedom. You can keep your freedom by making a few small adjustments to the home and daily routines. 

Our mobile x-ray services are available 24-hours a day 7 days a week in case you need us. Take precautions and keep active so you can stay independent.