FALLS PREVENTION

1. FALLS PREVENTION Presented by Comfort Keepers

2. FALLS • the leading cause of injury and death among seniors

3. FALLS FACTS • 40% of those 75+ fall at least once each year • Most common cause of injury • Sixth leading cause of death for seniors • Hip fracture is most common form of injury, especially for women *Injury Research, BC

4. PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF A FALL • Decreased physical functioning • Reduced quality of life

5. EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF A FALL • Loss of confidence • Restrict their future activities out of fear Avoiding activity because of fear can actually increase the risk of falling again!

6. TYPICAL FALLS • Hurrying to the bathroom in the dark • Tripping on edge of a carpet, over pets and clutter • Walking on a shiny floor especially when there is glare from the lights or water on floor • Inappropriate footwear

7. CAUSES OF FALLS: • Problem in the environment • Muscle weakness, walking or balance problems • Medical condition—arthritis, vision problems • Side effects of medication

8. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

9. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT • Clean up spills immediately • Place electric cords along the wall • Do not place cords or wire under rugs or runners

10. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT • Use rubber-backed scatter mats, or tape down • Do not wax floors • Keep floors clear of clutter • Avoid stepstools and ladders

11. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT • Avoid furniture that blends into the carpet e.g. glass-topped coffee tables • Use non-slip rubber tips under furniture legs to prevent sliding

12. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT • Place shelves to avoid overreaching, standing on tiptoes, bending or using a chair or ladder • Place regularly used items between hip and eye level • Place telephone and/or emergency call buttons to be easily reached from the floor, should a fall occur

13. BEDROOM SAFETY • The bed should be at comfortable height, stable, and firm enough to get in and out of easily • Telephone and lamp within reach of the bed • Keep a flashlight on the table for emergencies

14. BEDROOM SAFETY • Keep eyeglasses, canes and walkers within reach • Avoid too long and loose clothing • If unsteady on feet, sit while dressing and undressing

15. BATHROOM SAFETY • Water, soapy tile or porcelain surfaces can be very slippery! • Use rubberized slip-resistance mats both inside and outside the bathtub • Install slip-resistant grab bars inside and outside the bathtub and by the toilet

16. BATHROOM SAFETY • Use a shower bench or chair when showering • The chair or bench should have: • a back support • rubber-tipped feet to keep it from sliding • Use a raised toilet seat for someone who is weak, or has balance problems

17. PROPER LIGHTING • An older adult needs 3 times more light to see clearly than someone younger • Light switches should be accessible at room entrances • Use night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms, halls and stairways

18. TOUCH SENSITIVE LIGHTING • lights that turn on when you touch the base of the lamp • adapters are available to turn an existing lamp into a touch-sensitive lamp • helpful for those with arthritis or painful joints

19. STAIR SAFETY • most common place for falls that result in serious injury—especially first and last step • should be well lit so that each step is clearly seen both going up and down • remove loose rugs or runners on the top or bottom of stair landings • install round handrails, at the correct height, on both sides of the stairs

20. AVOID OUTDOOR FALLS • Most falls are on curbs or steps • Mark step edges with outdoor reflective tape • Repair sidewalks, walkways and driveways so that they are smooth and even

21. AVOID OUTDOOR FALLS • Keep pathways and stairs free of leaves, moss, shrubbery • Keep path clear of objects like hose, pets, sticks, • Clear away snow and ice from walkways • Pathways and stairs should be well lit

22. TRIP FREE BEHAVIOUR • Stay active • Exercise regularly • Eat nutritious foods • Don’t carry objects that are too heavy or large, making balance difficult • When carrying objects, do not allow your vision to be blocked - make more trips with smaller loads

23. PROPER FOOT WEAR • Avoid smooth soles -- only shoes with nonskid soles, low heel and a good tread • Periodically check the soles of your shoes to see if they have worn smooth • Wear only full slippers with rubber soles – don’t wear slippers outside • Use foot wear with studded traction soles on ice or snow

24. MUSCLE WEAKNESS The number 1 cause of falling! The best way to prevent muscle weakness is: • Strength training • Walking

25. PHYSICAL PROBLEMS • Vision tested yearly • Hearing test at least every 2 years • See your doctor if you have any changes in vision or hearing between your checkups

26. HAVE REGULAR CHECKUPS Your doctor should be checking: • Blood pressure • Gait (walking ability) • Balance • Overall physical fitness • Medications

27. ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE FALLS: • Foot pain or corns • Dizziness (especially upon standing up) • Feelings of confusion • Arthritis or other joint stiffness • Weight loss

28. MEDICATIONS • review your medications with your doctor and pharmacist to see if there is an increased risk for falls—including any non-prescription medication you are taking for sleep, colds, coughs, etc. • side effects may cause drowsiness or dizziness

29. MEDICATIONS TO WATCH • Diuretics • Blood pressure medicine • Sedatives • Psycho-therapeutic medications

30. WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL • Rest a few minutes • Before moving, be aware if anything hurts or may be broken • Move along the floor to a stable piece of furniture such as a chair or sofa - using the object as a support, first move into a side-sitting position

31. WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL 4. Put one foot flat on the floor and push up into a chair – may be difficult because of the strength required to do this movement 5. Once in the chair, you should rest again 6. Call for assistance • If no one is available to help, then you may have to get up on your own or move to a different location to phone for assistance

32. “DO IT NOW” CHECKLIST • Walk around your home and assess your risk of falling • Make necessary changes right away BE SAFE! FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED!