Fall prevention

To reduce the chances of falling, remove any objects or obstacles that may cause you to trip. Additionally, installing handrails and enhancing lighting can significantly contribute to ensuring a safer environment. Consistently engaging in physical activity and frequently checking for potential hazards in your living space are also effective measures to prevent falls.

Falling can be caused by balance issues and weakened muscles. To boost your strength, you can consider joining exercise classes or engaging in other physical activities, if it's appropriate for you. As you age, your eyesight, hearing, and reflexes may not function as well as before. Additionally, medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, nerve issues, foot problems, or blood vessel complications can impact your balance and increase your risk of falling.

Elderly individuals are most likely to experience falls at home, especially in areas with trip hazards or inadequate lighting. The most common rooms for elderly falls include bedrooms and bathrooms.

There are generally three categories of falls:

1. Accidental falls happen by mistake and can be prevented by removing trip hazards and installing grab rails.
2. Anticipated falls occur due to risk factors like weak muscles and can be prevented by addressing the risk factors and taking precautions.
3. Unanticipated falls, such as fainting, occur due to health conditions and may require assistive technology for safety.

When helping an older adult who has fallen, be careful not to aggravate any injuries. Assess the situation calmly and call for an ambulance if needed. If you can do so safely, help them up using manual lifting techniques, or use a mechanical device like a lifting chair if one is available.

If the person is not seriously hurt, it might take some time for the ambulance to arrive. This could increase the likelihood of complications from prolonged lying down. Although there are techniques to help someone get back on their feet, it often requires physical effort from the person who fell, which may not be possible. In such cases, the fastest way to help an uninjured person get up from the floor is by using an emergency lifting tool.

Even if the fall has not resulted in serious injury, pride and confidence can be affected. Be empathetic to their concerns and see if you can address the cause of the fall.