A slip or fall can have serious consequences. As director of nursing at Lutheran Hillside Village, Robin Boyer is committed to educating residents and the community on the necessity of fall prevention. “The stats are discouraging,” Robin said. “For senior adults, 20-30 percent of those who fall will be unable to live independently afterward; less then half talk to their health care providers about falls; and every 15 seconds across America a senior adult is sent to the ER for a fall-related injury.”
Six prevention steps could make the difference for you and loved ones.
- Regular Check-ups: Meet with your doctor and optometrist for yearly check-ups. Prescription glasses or contacts should be up to date to ensure clarity of sight. “Cataracts and glaucoma can alter your depth perception, visual acuity, peripheral vision, and increase glare,” said Robin. “So add color and contrast to identify objects like grab rails.” Your doctor will also be able to tell you if any current medications have the ability to make you dizzy.
- Increase Exercise: Weakness and lack of mobility contributes to falls. Exercising regularly increases muscle tone, balance, and flexibility that can go a long way toward fall prevention. Joining a local group to work out or walk regularly to stay in shape.
- Shoes: Not every shoe is a good shoe. A good shoe will have a firm heel and smooth lining. The fastener, like Velcro or laces, will be adjustable and tight. The uppers will be made of a soft, breathable material. The shoe will be flexible at the forefoot and the toe box will be deep and wide. The sole should be thick synthetic and the heel should be low.
- Let There Be Light: Make sure there is plenty of lighting in each room, at entrances, walkways, and staircases. Placing a lamp in easy reach of a bedside table will keep falls from occurring at night. Having a flashlight nearby as well will be helpful in case of power outages.
- Eliminate Hazards: Remove tripping hazards (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk. Rugs should be secured to the floor to keep from slipping. Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool. Uneven or cracked sidewalks should be taken care of immediately.
- Get Help: There are assistive devices that help decrease slipping or falling. Most are very easy to install or purchase. Robin suggests having a home health care professional in to evaluate safety.
If a fall does occur, use a call button or call 911 immediately. Trying to move from the fall site will make it difficult to later identify and fix the problem. “We need to be able to identify the fall surroundings,” said Robin. “At Lutheran Hillside Village, we use a fall toolkit to best evaluate what happened and to eliminate the possibility of a fall occurring again.”
No one plans on falling. Applying these six tips will help your loved ones and you live life to the fullest, while decreasing risk. The best security can come from the knowledge of preparation.
Lutheran Hillside Village has a 50-year tradition of outstanding care in Peoria, IL. Call Ellyn Book at Lutheran Hillside Village at 309-692-4600 for more information.
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