Speak Up: Reduce Your Risk of Falling

One out of three adults age 65 and older gets injured from falls every year. But anyone can fall. Making simple changes can mean a big difference when it comes to preventing falls. Watch the latest video from the Speak Up gang, and learn how to reduce your risk of falling!

Each year, millions of people are injured by falls. People at risk of falling include hospital patients, nursing home residents and those who are recovering from an illness or injury at home.

Why do falls happen?

• Person is weak, tired or ill
• Person is not physically fit
• Person may have problems seeing
• Medicines may cause weakness, sleepiness, confusion or dizziness
• Slippery or wet floors or stairs
• Obstructed pathways
• Darkness

How to reduce your risk of falling

Take care of your health

• Exercise regularly. Exercise builds strength.
• Prevent dehydration. Dehydration can make it easier to lose your balance.
• Have your eyes checked. Make sure you do not have any eye problems or need a new prescription.
• Talk to your doctor if your medicine makes you sleepy, light-headed, sluggish or confused. Ask how to reduce these side effects or if you can take another medicine.

Take extra precautions

• Turn on the lights when you enter a room. Do not walk in the dark.
• Make sure your pathway is clear.
• Use the handrails on staircases.
• Sit in chairs that do not move and have arm rests to help when you sit down and stand up.
• Wear shoes that have firm, flat, non-slip soles. Do not wear shoes that do not have backs on them.
• Replace the rubber tips on canes and walkers when they become worn.

Watch The Video Here

Make small changes to your home

• Install timers, “clap-on” or motion sensors on your lights.
• Use night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and the hallway leading to the bathroom.
• Keep the floor and stairs clear of objects such as books, tools, papers, shoes and clothing.
• Remove small area rugs and throw rugs that can slip. Rubber mats are a good replacement.
• Put frequently used items in easy-to-reach places that do not require using a step stool.
• Make sure your bed is easy to get in and out of.
• Apply non-slip treads on stairs.
• Apply non-slip decals or use a non-slip mat in the bathtub or shower.
• Install grab bars near the toilet and the bathtub
  or shower.

A home care agency, personal care and support agency,  or community program may be able to help make changes to your home if you live alone and need help.

Take extra precautions in the hospital or nursing home

Many falls occur when patients or residents try to get out of bed either to go to the bathroom or walk around the room by themselves. If you need to get out of bed:

• Use your call button to ask for help getting out of bed if you feel unsteady.
• Ask for help going to the bathroom or walking around the room or in hallways.
• Wear non-slip socks or footwear.
• Lower the height of the bed and the side rails.
• Talk to your doctor if your medicine makes you sleepy, light-headed, sluggish or confused. Ask how to reduce these side effects or if you can take another medicine.

Article From: www.jointcommission.org