Why preventing falls is important

Visit your podiatrist regularly to minimise foot problems. Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well — they should be wide enough in the toe area, have low or no heels and have slip-resistant soles.

Consider wearing hip protectors or limb protectors to help prevent hip fracture and skin tears in the event of a fall.

Make sure your Vitamin D levels are enough for strong bones and muscles Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids. Get active. Research shows that exercise at any age is beneficial. Physical activity The more active you are the better your chance of keeping your muscles strong and joints flexible.

Call for help if you can. Dial triple zero for emergency services or call your local doctor for help — keep your telephone in easy reach of the floor, for instance on a low table. Decide whether you can get up yourself. If you can get up by yourself Roll over onto your stomach and try to get into a crawling position.

Crawl to a stable piece of furniture, like a lounge chair. Try to get up onto your knees. Push up, using your strongest leg and arms, still firmly holding onto the furniture. Sit down on the furniture. Use your personal alarm , if you have one. If you know no one will hear you, keep warm and try to get up again later. Falls can be prevented! More information here.

Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all safety. Related information. Carers Australia. Elder adults should have their hearing checked as often as their eyes. Loss of limbs — The loss of an extremity that does not require seated transportation may increase the risk of a fall. In most cases, too, walking will require the use of an implement. The fall prevention program for such a person may include fall-protective netting, window fall prevention, lanyard fall protection, and other fall prevention tools.

If possible, make sure your doctors include the following checks: Your gait — The way you walk says a lot about your general health, both mental and physical. This will usually be one of the first things that your doctor tests. Balance — Your balance is another holistic measure that will allow your doctor to drill down into more specific issues if a problem is found.

Mobility — Your general ability to move affects your ability to react quickly to an unexpected event that may cause a fall. You also gain the ability to avoid hazards that may cause a fall if you are relatively mobile. Physical fitness — This is defined as the ability to easily perform day-to-day tasks. If you cannot, then you are more likely to experience a fall in the home. Heart rate — The heart rate affects many other aspects of the body, including brain function, motor skills, and vision.

Blood pressure — High blood pressure may be indicative of stress, which increases the risk of a fall. Muscle strength — Stronger people can resist imbalance and step over hazards. People with stronger muscles will also be able to walk more effectively and balance themselves to avoid falls.

Diet — The way that you eat speaks to your general health and may affect your heart rate, balance and vision. Pain — If there is any pain in your body, then your body may be trying to tell you something — something that will help you avoid a fall.

Arthritis — Joint pain makes it harder to avoid falls. Symptoms of arthritis must be controlled as a part of a fall protection strategy. Fear of falling — As mentioned above, people who are more fearful of falling are actually more likely to fall.

Your doctor should assess this psychological condition if it is present and work to remove it. Brain function — The ability to think fast speaks to your reflexes and muscular reactions. The better these are, the more you will be able to resist a fall. Actively Reducing the Chances of a Fall There are many fall protection systems marketed through private companies and public websites.

Address any medical conditions — As stated above, you should seek frequent medical checkups. The health of the individual is the most important aspect of fall protection. Modify the environment — To reduce the risk of a fall, reduce the number of hazards in your home.

Some common modifications include front-door showers, putting carpet on floors, widening door frames, reducing door curb height and installing various fall protection systems. The benefits include stronger muscles, bones, and connective tissue, an increased awareness of the environment, more energy for greater balance and a stronger gait, and a higher resistance to unexpected events. Special exercises may be employed to bolster weaker areas and improve holistic physical fitness.

Get the right clothes and shoes — Any and all loose clothing that could catch on a door frame, nail, or furniture should be removed from the home. Choose shoes that fit and follow the limitations mentioned above no slick soles, no loose material, etc. A dark home hides hazards, and a home that is too bright can be just as dangerous. In general, if there is so much light that it causes the resident of the home a problem, then it should be reduced. This includes rooms in the home that may let in too much sunlight during peak hours.

Incorporate the appropriate assist devices — Older adults who have physical limitations may need to use a walker or cane to help them get around, and you should adjust your fall prevention plan accordingly.

In addition, many fall prevention programs include installing grab bars throughout the home. Get proper nutrition — Eating properly helps an elder adult engage more thoroughly with the surrounding environment. And getting adequate liquids can produce similar benefits.

What to Do If a Fall Happens Prevention is the best way to avoid the injuries and other problems related to falls. If you think you can get up, follow these steps. Lie down on your side. Bend your top leg and lift your upper body into position resting on your elbow. Pull your body towards a sturdy stationary object. Drag yourself up into a kneeling position while using your hands to pull yourself up.

Put your strong leg in front of your body while you are holding the stationary object. Stand up. Log In. Sign Up. Online CPD Articles. Preventing Falls in Aged Care. Document 4m of CPD.

Despite these alarming statistics, most falls are preventable. What is a Fall? Some common risk factors include: Intrinsic risk factors Extrinsic risk factors Prior history of falls Age Sleep disturbances Comorbidity Acute or chronic illness Cognitive impairment Delirium, disorientation or confusion Incontinence Impaired mobility Balance issues Use of mobility assistance Muscle weakness Medicines Fear of falling Tripping hazards Lighting Bathroom location and accessibility Floor surfaces Doors Cords and tubing Room layout Noise Furniture Staff shortages Lack of communication with staff Footwear Unfamiliarity with environment Language barriers Time of day.

Test Your Knowledge Subscribers Only. Who will take ownership of this effort? What kinds of resources are needed? What if you are not ready for full-scale change? Checklist for assessing readiness for change 2. How will you manage change? How can you set up the Implementation Team for success? What needs to change and how do you need to redesign it? How should goals and plans for change be developed? Checklist for managing change 3. Which fall prevention practices do you want to use?

Which fall prevention practices should you use? What are universal fall precautions and how should they be implemented? What is a standardized assessment of risk factors for falls, and how should this assessment be conducted?

How should identified risk factors be used for fall prevention care planning?