Falls Prevention

Most of us appreciate that falling over is usually unpleasant; in later life it can be very serious indeed. On with the pro active stuff:

General Household:

  • Check to see that things are put away in the place they belong
  • Attend to trip hazards such as loose rugs, carpets and folded, torn or badly worn floor coverings.
  • Tidy up loose flexes and cables
  • Remove low level furniture e.g. tables, stools, magazine racks.
  • Cupboard shelves that are too high or too low.
  • Unstable chairs or tables (on wheels or castors)
  • Extension leads across walkways.

Bathroom/toilet/laundry:

  • Bath/Shower bases can be slippery, use recommended mat/grip strips
  • Fit hand rails in appropriate positions in bath/shower area
  • Provide a seated area for dressing/undressing
  • Arrange door to open outwards if possible
  • Ensure any glass is safety glass
  • Toilet seat at optimum height with grab rail fitted
  • Soap and shampoo easily accessible

Stairs:

  • If too steep or long – consider a stair lift installation
  • Check construction, handrail and floor coverings are in good condition
  • Ensure step edges are clearly visible (contrasting colour?)
  • Hand rails and banisters designed to take weight as a support.
  • Ensure hand rails are long enough to facilitate clearing the hazard e.g. stairs.
  • Lighting adequate at all times of day and night.

Outside:

  • Reduce garden to low maintenance and at an appropriate height
  • Attend to changes in ground height e.g. slopes and steps
  • Beware of uneven paths, slippery surfaces e.g. wood and paving – especially in cooler months.
  • Check access gates and entrances are clear, including garage and shed areas

In a survey1 of 425 respondents twenty percent were hazard free, of the other eighty percent that had one hazard or more 39% had up to five hazards and almost 5% had up to 15 hazards.

This might be partly explained by the following data from the same survey:

  • Five per cent could not identify any common accidents, 34% could identify just one.
  • With regard to safety measures thirteen percent of older people could not name any measures that older people could take to make their homes safer and prevent accidents.
  • Sixty Eight per cent of the older people rated their homes as safe.

Maybe older people do not consider that they might be at risk and that they feel safer than they actually are.

 Help is at hand:

Various charities such as Age UK can help by organising a risk assessment, introducing activities designed to help strength, mobility and co-ordination as well as advising on aids and home improvements that are tailored to the individual.

Your local Community Navigator can direct you to the organisations that can help older people most effectively.

References:

1 Age and Aging 1997; 26: 195-202. Environmental hazards in the homes of older people Susan E Carter, Elizabeth M Campbell, Rob W. Sanson-Fisher, Selina Redman, William J Gillespie