Fall Prevention

Falls are the most common cause of fatal injury to the aged and sick.               

Why do falls happen?

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

How to reduce your risk of falling 

What you can do:     

• Change position slowly. It is best to get up from a chair or bed slowly and turn your head slowly to avoid dizziness
• Don't Hurry
• Wear your glasses and/or hearing aid if you need them to see and/or to hear
• Turn on lights especially in stairways and hallways
• Wear proper fitting shoes with rubber bottom
• Keep your personal items within reach
• Ask if the medications you are taking may increase your risk of falling
• If you are attached to any equipment, call for assistance to get out of bed 
•  If you use a cane or walker make sure it is within reach
• Do not lean on the bed side table or any movable equipment for support.
• If you are sleepy, dizzy, or weak call for assistance before trying to get up 

Fix your living area:      

• Non-slip bathmats / Install hand rails
• Keep bed in appropriate position for safe entry and exit.
• Tack down the edges of carpets and rugs; remove loose rugs
• Have ample lighting without glare / use nightlights
• Clear up clutter  

Caregivers should consider:

• Carefully toilet all confused or frail patients proactively and frequently, especially when receiving diuretics and/or laxatives
• Consider commode use
• Consider the use of bed monitors/alarms for those at higher levels of risk
• Supervised walking and transfers
• Consider balance and gait training / strength training 

If your loved one is living in an assisted living or nursing facility:

• Help them become familiar with their surroundings
• If confused – ask to have them moved closer to the nursing station.