According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 3 adults aged >65 experience a fall every year. Walking barefoot or while wearing stockings increases the risk of slipping on slick surfaces. Shoes or slippers with non-skid soles should be worn inside and outside of the home.
There are multiple simple strategies that can help reduce falls in the home environment and these include:
- Exercising regularly for 30 minutes 3 times/week increases strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility; therefore, decreasing fall risk. Maintaining a well-lit, clutter-free environment (eg, adding nightlights and removing or securing area rugs to the floor with double-sided tape) (Options 1 and 4).
- Using grab bars and non-skid bath mats in the bathroom.
- Wearing shoes or slippers with non-skid soles, both inside and outside of the home.
- Periodically reviewing medications and side effects (eg, orthostatic hypotension) with a pharmacist and/or health care provider (HCP). Getting regular vision exams.
- Wearing an electronic fall alert device.
- The fear of falling increases fall risk and these devices provide the security of knowing help is available immediately if a fall occurs (Option 2).
Educational objective: Many falls in the home can be prevented by exercising regularly, getting regular vision exams, maintaining a well-lit, clutter-free environment, using grab bars in the bathroom, periodically reviewing medications and side effects with a pharmacist and/or HCP, and wearing an electronic fall alert device.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 3 adults aged >65 experience a fall every year. Walking barefoot or while wearing stockings increases the risk of slipping on slick surfaces. Shoes or slippers with non-skid soles should be worn inside and outside of the home.
There are multiple simple strategies that can help reduce falls in the home environment and these include:
- Exercising regularly for 30 minutes 3 times/week increases strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility; therefore, decreasing fall risk. Maintaining a well-lit, clutter-free environment (eg, adding nightlights and removing or securing area rugs to the floor with double-sided tape) (Options 1 and 4).
- Using grab bars and non-skid bath mats in the bathroom.
- Wearing shoes or slippers with non-skid soles, both inside and outside of the home.
- Periodically reviewing medications and side effects (eg, orthostatic hypotension) with a pharmacist and/or health care provider (HCP). Getting regular vision exams.
- Wearing an electronic fall alert device.
- The fear of falling increases fall risk and these devices provide the security of knowing help is available immediately if a fall occurs (Option 2).
Educational objective: Many falls in the home can be prevented by exercising regularly, getting regular vision exams, maintaining a well-lit, clutter-free environment, using grab bars in the bathroom, periodically reviewing medications and side effects with a pharmacist and/or HCP, and wearing an electronic fall alert device.
