Preventing
Falls at Home

As people grow older, they naturally wish to maintain an active lifestyle, but the feat of taking a serious fall may prevent some of them from doing all they would like to do.  This issue of HealthMatters looks at some of the thinks that can be done to decrease the risk of falling..

Q: What things can people do for themselves to prevent falls?
A: A person can do several things to prevent falls.
       - Begin or continue a regular exercise routine.  Regular exercise is not only good for your overall health, it makes you stronger and improves balance.
       - Review medicines with your health care provider.  Go over all prescription and non-prescription medication.  As you age, the way a medication works in your body can change.  And, some combinations of medicines can cause drowsiness or lightheadedness.
        - Keep your feet healthy.  Foot problems can increase the risk of falls.
        - Wear shoes, even indoors.  Supportive rubber-soled shoes provide grip indoors and out.  Stocking feet or smooth soled shoes can slip on stairs and waxed floors.
        - Have your vision and hearing checked. Seeing and hearing can help you keep your balance.
        - Stand up slowly.  Getting up quickly after eating, resting or lying down can make you feel faint.
        - Grab hold for support.  Hold handrails and use a cane, walking stick or walker if needed.  Extra support can be very helpful when walking in areas that you don't know well or places that might be uneven, wet or icy.

Q:  What things can be done to a home to aid in the prevention of falls?
A:  Plenty of precautions can be taken at home to help prevent falls.  Here are just a few ways to make your home safe.
        - Remove things you can trip over.  Papers, books, clothes and extra shoes should be removed from stairs or walkways.
        - Inspect your rugs.  Removing area rugs completely is the best prevention method.  Consider adding no-slip strips to your wood or tile floors.
        - Consider your reach.  Keep frequently used items in easy to reach locations to avoid having to use a step stool.
        - Look for common slippery spots.  Use non-slip mats on the bathtub or shower floor and install grab bars next to the toilet and shower.
        - Inspect staircase handrails.  Have tightly fastened handrails on both sides of the stairs that run all the way from top to bottom.
        - Have lighted stairways.  Make sure there is good lighting with switches at the top and bottom of stairs.  At night, turn on lights if you have to get up, or keep a nightlight on.
        - Located cords that may cause you to trip.  Keep electrical and phone cords out of the way.

For more information about the effects of aging and reducing your risk of falling, talk to your healthcare provider or call LifeCare's Marilyn Grafstrom at (218) 463-4312.