When elderly people fall the outcomes can be very serious, such as hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Falls may lead to being confined to the bed during the period it takes to recover, which leads to further weakening of muscles and decrease in capability to recover. Seniors who are able to manage their lives independently are often pushed into long term dependence after a fall. Some may even be bedridden for the rest of their lives.
Prevention of falls should be a priority, most falls CAN be prevented. At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home. Please take note of this and act now...
Some Tips
A checklist list that you can use to asses your home for risk is given here.
Fall prevention advice can also be obtained from the following websites.
www.nhs.uk/
www.stopfalls.org/
Prevention of Falls in the Elderly | Health | Patient.co.uk
Prevention of falls should be a priority, most falls CAN be prevented. At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home. Please take note of this and act now...
Some Tips
- Exercise helps to keep muscles strong, and improve balance.
- Some medications that cause drowsiness or dizziness should be reviewed or their effects need to be understood by the patient and their family.
- Vision should be checked regularly. Spectacles may need to be changed. Often multifocals that obscure the view of the ground prevent people from seeing obstacles or uneven surfaces. A separate pair of spectacles for distance viewing may be the answer.
- Keeping the environment free from hazards such as slippery floors, rugs, small furniture and clutter, and providing grab rails and appropriate lighting is also important.
A checklist list that you can use to asses your home for risk is given here.
Fall prevention advice can also be obtained from the following websites.
www.nhs.uk/
www.stopfalls.org/
Prevention of Falls in the Elderly | Health | Patient.co.uk
