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Home Safety Month - Preventing Falls 

 

Every June, the Home Safety Council (HSC), the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries, works to educate and motivate families to take actions that will increase the safety of their homes. According to the HSC, 58,000 people are injured and need medical care every day in homes across America.1 Research also shows that falls are the leading cause of injury and deaths at home for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, each year in the United States, nearly one-third of older adults (age 65 and over) experience a fall and about one out of ten falls among older adults result in a serious injury, such as a hip fracture or head injury that requires hospitalization.2 Unfortunately, many older adults, as well as their family members and caregivers, are unaware of factors or behaviors that put them at risk of falling, and are also unaware of what actions they can take to reduce their risk.

The CDC recommends four simple steps to prevent falls in the home: exercise regularly, review medications with your healthcare provider, have your vision checked, and make your home safer. 

Exercise Regularly.  AARP President, Jennie Chin Hansen was quoted in an AARP Bulletin Today article written by Cathie Gandel, saying that “studies show that exercise and activity, specifically those that help in strengthening, flexibility, and balance, can make a significant difference in minimizing one’s chance of falling”.3 Exercises that help improve overall strength, flexibility, and balance include walking, water workouts, and tai chi. Before beginning any new exercise program, you should always consult with your physician. He or she will be able to give you a personalized exercise program or even refer you to a physical therapist to help improve balance, muscle strength, flexibility, and gait. 

Review Medications with Your Healthcare Provider.  According to the CDC, approximately 1,800 people living in nursing homes die from falls each year. The CDC goes on to say: “Medications can increase the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs are of particular concern.”4

To prevent your loved one from falling, make an appointment with his/her doctor in order to come up with a fall-prevention strategy. The Mayo Clinic advises the following actions:

  1. Bring all medications in their original containers or a list of them, including dosages and times. The doctor may decide to wean the patient off of certain medications, particularly if they are for the treatment of anxiety or insomnia.
  2. Compile a list with your loved one of any falls or near-falls, including time, date, and what caused the fall and bring this to the doctor.
  3. Encourage conversation between the doctor and your loved one about any dizziness, joint or muscle pain, eye or ear problems, numbness, or shortness of breath that he or she may be experiencing.5 

Also, be sure to check out our Guide to Proper Medication Use and Storage.

Have Your Vision Checked. As we age, we are more susceptible to vision loss, glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. These problems can contribute to falls by causing blind spots, loss of depth perception, and the ability to maintain balance. If your loved one is showing any signs of poor vision, such as hesitating when reaching for objects, frequently stumbling, having trouble writing, or having difficulty recognizing colors, then encourage him or her to go with you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist so that any problems can be diagnosed and prescription glasses or contact lenses can be properly updated.6

Make Your Home Safer.  The Home Safety Council has a fun, interactive tool available on their website where you can take a tour of a virtual home and learn about potential safety hazards and how to protect your home from them. As the virtual tour points out, there are plenty of features that all homes should have, as well as age-specific ways to safety-proof your home for your loved ones.

For seniors:

  • Make sure rugs and shower mats are non-skid and that the corners will not easily be overturned.
  • Install grab bars in the shower, tub, and around the toilet.
  • Place nightlights around the bedroom, bathroom, and hallway.
  • Install lights at the top and bottom of the stairs and make sure the stairs are clear with handrails on both sides. The same applies outside with walkways and steps.

For young children:

  • Install window guards on all upper floor windows.
  • Place safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.

At CareFocus Companion Services, we care about the health and safety of you and your loved ones, and we want you to be secure in your home. For further tips on safety-proofing your home and to download our checklist, click here.

The information contained within this article is not meant as a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice and consultation. When differences exist between the information here and information given to you by your healthcare provider(s), you should follow the advice of your healthcare provider(s). Any additional information or clarification needed should be sought from the Physician, Practitioner, Speech Pathologist, or Nutritionist who is familiar with the individual’s health and medical conditions.