Falls

Did you know that 1 out of 4 people over the age of 65 will fall each year? Falls directly impact a person’s ability to remain independent, and most falls are preventable.

 

Common Causes of Falls: 

• A decline in physical fitness

• Difficulties with balance

• Unsteady gait 

• Vision changes

• Foot pain

• Improper footwear

• Medication side effects

• Chronic health conditions

• Changes in cognition

• Hazards in the home

 

A Fall Risk Assessment can be useful in identifying fall risk factors and developing a fall prevention plan or try these steps to Fall-Proof Your Home. 

 

Speak with your loved one's physician and other medical providers.  Ask a pharmacist or physician to review your Medication List to identify any medication interactions or side effects that could contribute to falls and explore whether any changes can be made to the medications.  Ask how health conditions could lead to falls and for recommendations on strength training and exercise programs.  Make sure that there has been a recent vision exam and that prescriptions are current. 

 

A physical therapist can help with developing an exercise program, improving strength and balance, identifying appropriate assistive devices, making the home safer, and working with medical providers to address underlying medical conditions. Insurance may cover the cost of outpatient physical therapy. Find a physical therapist

 

Assistive Devices are an important tool in preventing falls. Most people know about canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, but there are other items that can assist in preventing falls such as raised toilet seats, grab bars, shower chairs, bedside assist rails, bed wedges, seat lifts, stair lifts, reaching aids, and transfer devices, among many others. Your insurance may cover the cost of medical equipment if it was ordered by a medical professional and deemed medically necessary. 

 

Technology can assist in preventing falls by making the home a safer place, monitoring changes in health conditions, and calling for assistance if a fall occurs. Examples of assistive technology include health monitoring software, fall alert systems, emergency call buttons, bed and chair alarms, and automatic lighting.

 

Home Safety: Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. This home safety checklist will help you find and fix those hazards.  Even items such as non-slip shoes and socks can decrease the risk of falls.