GOAL: Keep people independent as long as
possible!
Hospital stays are shorter and homes
need to be equipped to heal properly.
1 out of 10 falls require injury
requiring healthcare attention.
Falling is the leading cause in injury death in 65
and over.
Who is at risk for falling?
- those taking multiple
medications.
- Hearing changes.
- Vision issues.
- Previous falls.
- History of neuromuscular
disease.
- Dizziness.
- Fear of falling.
- Poor lighting.
- Shoe choice.
- Flooring surfaces.
- Nothing to hold onto.
Reducing home hazards
- bed height
- Phone/lamp at bedside
- Nightlights, flashlights,
activate lights
- Keep bedspread tucked in
- rug tape
- Items you use frequently in
reach
- Sit while meal prepping
- Avoid step stools/rolling
chairs.
- Do not wax floors
- Install grab bars.
- Handheld shower heads
- Shower chairs
- Nonslip strips in bathroom
- Toilet lights
- Modify thresholds.
- Voice activated devices
- Remove clutter
- Avoid rocking and swiveling
chairs
Staying strong & improving
strength
- by 75 half of muscle mass has
disappeared
- Exercise helps reduce age
related functional declines
- Never to late to start exercise
- Balance training and walking
help prevents falls
Walking and exercise helps self
esteem, strength, flexibility and endurance. Helps
mental alertness, perception and information processing. Help
coordination and balance. Helps
muscle mass and bone density. Reduces
stress, depression and anxiety.
You need three things for balance.
*Must
have 2 of 3.
1.
Vision
2.
Response in ear
3. Ability to touch and feel
How to handle a fall…
- don’t panic
- Check for injuries
- Yell for help or crawl for a
phone
- Get up if you can
If you can get up:
- rollover
- Crawl to a chair
- Pull yourself up
- Turn and sit
Research home care before you need
it.
