5 Ways to Prevent of Falls
Everyone will fall from time to time whether from clumsiness to a simple misstep on the stairs, it is a common occurrence. However, it can become more dangerous as you become older. According to NCOA, an older adult is treated for a fall in the emergency room every 11 seconds. This alarming statistic makes having a home medical alert service a necessity for any elderly person that wants to live independently. It is just as important to actively work to prevent falls in and around your home.
Many people will fall as a result of tripping or stumbling across a cord or over items that were left in the hallway or along a path. One of the best ways to stay safe is to reduce the clutter around your home. It can take a lot of work to clear out a home of the clutter, but it is essential if you want to maintain your independence and continue to live at home. Start with your hallways and then move on to your most used rooms. Family can help or you can hire a professional to help with the clean up.
Falls increase in the winter with the ice and snow that can gather on sidewalks and on the stairs up to your home. However, you may be more likely to fall on wet sidewalks, especially if you have slippery footwear on. The first step to avoid falls of this type is choose shoes that will not slip on wet pavement or that can grip well on the ice or snow. Hiring someone to take care of your walks and driveway for you can help. Using ice melt on your sidewalks can reduce the chance of falling. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or a steady arm to lean on as you move from your home to the car or the car to the store.
Area rugs on hardwood floors or bathroom and kitchen mats can all cause falls. As they get older, the rubber on the bottom may wear off and they can easily slip or slide across the floor when you put weight on them. This can lead to a fall. They can also turn into a tripping hazard if an end gets folded up or stuck on something. This does not mean that you need to get rid of them completely. Just be sure that you check to make sure they do not slip or slide and to keep an eye out to make sure they do not flip up.
The bathroom is a hazardous area for falls. The floors can become slippery when showering or bathing. It can be difficult to climb in and out of a tub or shower. One of the ways you can reduce falls in the bathroom is to install safety balls in both the shower and along the wall. It is also important to make sure the bottom of the shower or tub does not get too slippery when wet.
Canes and walkers can help you navigate stairs and sidewalks. They are also great if you are not feeling particularly steady on your feet. If your doctor recommends that you use one, it really is a must. However, you can use a cane without a doctor’s prescription. When choosing a cane choose some with a solid rubber tip on the bottom and a handle that is easy to grip.
Even with all of these precautions, falls can still happen. It is important to have a plan in place in case you do fall. A mobile medical alert service is a good component of that plan, since it can be used wherever you are and get you the help you need if you do fall. This can help you keep the independence that you want.
Learn more about how to avoid being compromised by a fall by having the SafetyWatch medical alert system with fall detection that contacts emergency personnel immediately should a fall be detected: https://safetywatchservices.com/medical-alert-services/
1. Keep Your Home Clean of Clutter
Many people will fall as a result of tripping or stumbling across a cord or over items that were left in the hallway or along a path. One of the best ways to stay safe is to reduce the clutter around your home. It can take a lot of work to clear out a home of the clutter, but it is essential if you want to maintain your independence and continue to live at home. Start with your hallways and then move on to your most used rooms. Family can help or you can hire a professional to help with the clean up.
2. Watch Out for Slippery Sidewalks
Falls increase in the winter with the ice and snow that can gather on sidewalks and on the stairs up to your home. However, you may be more likely to fall on wet sidewalks, especially if you have slippery footwear on. The first step to avoid falls of this type is choose shoes that will not slip on wet pavement or that can grip well on the ice or snow. Hiring someone to take care of your walks and driveway for you can help. Using ice melt on your sidewalks can reduce the chance of falling. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or a steady arm to lean on as you move from your home to the car or the car to the store.
3. Be Careful of Rugs
Area rugs on hardwood floors or bathroom and kitchen mats can all cause falls. As they get older, the rubber on the bottom may wear off and they can easily slip or slide across the floor when you put weight on them. This can lead to a fall. They can also turn into a tripping hazard if an end gets folded up or stuck on something. This does not mean that you need to get rid of them completely. Just be sure that you check to make sure they do not slip or slide and to keep an eye out to make sure they do not flip up.
4. Install Safety Bars in the Shower and Bathroom
The bathroom is a hazardous area for falls. The floors can become slippery when showering or bathing. It can be difficult to climb in and out of a tub or shower. One of the ways you can reduce falls in the bathroom is to install safety balls in both the shower and along the wall. It is also important to make sure the bottom of the shower or tub does not get too slippery when wet.
5. Use a Cane or Walker as Needed
Canes and walkers can help you navigate stairs and sidewalks. They are also great if you are not feeling particularly steady on your feet. If your doctor recommends that you use one, it really is a must. However, you can use a cane without a doctor’s prescription. When choosing a cane choose some with a solid rubber tip on the bottom and a handle that is easy to grip.
Even with all of these precautions, falls can still happen. It is important to have a plan in place in case you do fall. A mobile medical alert service is a good component of that plan, since it can be used wherever you are and get you the help you need if you do fall. This can help you keep the independence that you want.
Learn more about how to avoid being compromised by a fall by having the SafetyWatch medical alert system with fall detection that contacts emergency personnel immediately should a fall be detected: https://safetywatchservices.com/medical-alert-services/
