Fall Prevention

| Cici Madawala

Falls can lead to fatal and nonfatal injuries resulting in hip fractures, broken bones, head injuries etc. It can lead most seniors to free the thought of “falling” which can lead to depression and anxiety — most importantly afraid to walk.1

According to the NCOA, one in four Americans fall every year.1 It is important to know the steps and the guides to fall prevention:

Tidy the house. A clean house is easy to walk around. Remove clutter such as newspaper stacks, piles of clothes, piles of books, etc., especially in the living area used most often. This will also reduce the tripping hazards throughout the house.

Grab bars and handrails. Installation of railings and grabs can improve safety in the stairwells, the shower, next to the toilet and walking areas not well lit.

Light it right. If you can’t see, you can’t walk. Try using a bright light illuminated toward the ceiling or a light that prevents a glare in areas such as the kitchen, stairs, bathroom, living room, etc. Robert Bunning, MD, Associate Medical Director of Inpatient Services at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., also recommends adding night-lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for better guidance at night.1

Shoes are important. Wear a durable pair of shoes that have a protective reinforcement which limit impact or compression.

Use non-slip. “Slippery when wet”. Porches, showers and bathroom floors can be extremely dangerous when wet. To prevent falls on slick surfaces we recommend a nonslip mat.

Take caution when moving. Walk with an assistive device if it is needed and pay attention to your surroundings.

Your health is important to us. If you have suffered from a fall and want to stay on your feet or if you worry that you might be at risk for falling, contact our wonderful staff at Live Your Life.

We provide a multifactorial, evidence-based, and comprehensive approach to determine the root cause of the problem. Focusing on solving the problem, we will improve your condition and your home to lower your risk of falling.

 Cici Madawala, B.A.

Marketing Director
Live Your LifeTM
Bringing Physical Therapy & Wellness to You!

Cici Madawala graduated from St Cloud State University with Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and minors in Geography and German.

She is passionate about helping people and strives to help individual get back on healthy routines and do the things they love. In her leisure time, she loves to travel, and explore other cultures and cuisines.

 

 

References
1. “9 Ways to Prevent Falling at Home.” Everyday Health dot com. 2 Feb. 2015. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017 https://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx
2. “Live Your Life FALL FREE”. “Live your physical therapy”.  Accessed 17 Sept. 2017 http://www.liveyourlifept.com/physical-therapy-wellness-services/physical-therapy/wellness-physical-therapy-program-clients/live-your-life-fall-free

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