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FALL PREVENTIONFALL PREVENTION

A Training For ConsumersA Training For ConsumersPresented by:

APS HealthcareSouthwestern PA Health Care Quality Unit

(HCQU)2-25-2006/tlt

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DISCLAIMERDISCLAIMER

"Information or education provided by the "Information or education provided by the HCQU is not intended to replace medical HCQU is not intended to replace medical advice from the consumer's personal care advice from the consumer's personal care physician, existing facility policy or federal, physician, existing facility policy or federal, state and local regulations/codes within the state and local regulations/codes within the agency jurisdiction. The information agency jurisdiction. The information provided is not all inclusive of the topic provided is not all inclusive of the topic presented."presented."

""Certificates for training hours will only be awarded to those Certificates for training hours will only be awarded to those who attend a training in its entirety. Attendees are responsible who attend a training in its entirety. Attendees are responsible for submitting paperwork to their respective agencies."for submitting paperwork to their respective agencies."

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OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

List ways to help keep your List ways to help keep your living/work areas safeliving/work areas safe

Talk about why a fall can be Talk about why a fall can be dangerousdangerous

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WHAT IS A FALL?WHAT IS A FALL?

Coming to rest on the Coming to rest on the ground, floor, or other ground, floor, or other lower level without lower level without meaning tomeaning to

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WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?

Wet floorsWet floors

Dim lighting/No LightingDim lighting/No Lighting

FurnitureFurniture

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WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?

ClutterClutter

Side effects from medicationSide effects from medication

Trying to hurry to the Trying to hurry to the bathroombathroom

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WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?

CHANGES IN YOUR:CHANGES IN YOUR:

Eye sightEye sight

HearingHearing

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WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?

SicknessSickness

Weak legsWeak legs

Being angryBeing angry

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WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?WHAT CAN CAUSE A FALL?

Feeling tiredFeeling tired

CordsCords

Getting older Getting older

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WHAT CAN HAPPEN FROM A WHAT CAN HAPPEN FROM A FALL?FALL?

Broken bonesBroken bones

Cuts or scrapes on the skinCuts or scrapes on the skin

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WHAT CAN HAPPEN FROM A WHAT CAN HAPPEN FROM A FALL?FALL?

Hurting your headHurting your head

Fear of a certain areaFear of a certain area

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DID YOU KNOW…….DID YOU KNOW…….

MOST FALLS CAN BE MOST FALLS CAN BE AVOIDED……….AVOIDED……….

How can I avoid a fall????? How can I avoid a fall?????

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WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM FALLING?FROM FALLING?

Ask for help with walking, Ask for help with walking, especially if I feel:especially if I feel:

WeakWeak

SickSick

Dizzy Dizzy

Angry Angry

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WHAT MORE CAN I DO TO KEEP WHAT MORE CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM FALLING?FROM FALLING?

KEEP MY HOME SAFEKEEP MY HOME SAFE

FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS…….FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS…….

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HOME SAFETY TIPSHOME SAFETY TIPS

Hold onto handrailsHold onto handrails

Use a nightlightUse a nightlight

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HOME SAFETY TIPSHOME SAFETY TIPS

Use a step stool with Use a step stool with handrailshandrails

Keep cords out of the wayKeep cords out of the way

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HOME SAFETY TIPSHOME SAFETY TIPS

Watch for loose throw rugsWatch for loose throw rugs

If I lock my door, make sure If I lock my door, make sure staff can get to me if neededstaff can get to me if needed

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HOME SAFETY TIPSHOME SAFETY TIPS

Clean up spills as soon as Clean up spills as soon as they happenthey happen

Ladder safetyLadder safety

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HOME SAFETY TIPSHOME SAFETY TIPS

Watch for petsWatch for pets

Try to not get out of bed or up Try to not get out of bed or up from a chair too fastfrom a chair too fast

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BATHROOM SAFETYBATHROOM SAFETY

Have a mat or rubber “stickers” Have a mat or rubber “stickers” on the bottom of the bathtubon the bottom of the bathtub

Have a non-slip mat on the Have a non-slip mat on the bathroom floor outside of the bathroom floor outside of the tub/showertub/shower

Be extra careful around the toilet Be extra careful around the toilet and sink and sink

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LIGHTS…….LIGHTS……. Turn on light outside before Turn on light outside before

going outgoing out

Turn on lights in stairs and Turn on lights in stairs and hallways before using hallways before using

Make sure there is a light on Make sure there is a light on above the steps and be extra above the steps and be extra careful on 1careful on 1stst and last step and last step

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SOME SHOE TIPS…..SOME SHOE TIPS…..

Wear shoes with low heelsWear shoes with low heels

Tie laces securelyTie laces securely

Choose shoes without thick soles Choose shoes without thick soles (except doctor ordered shoes)(except doctor ordered shoes)

Choose shoes that do not have Choose shoes that do not have open backsopen backs

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MORE SHOE TIPSMORE SHOE TIPS

Choose not to wear “flip-flops”Choose not to wear “flip-flops” Try not to go outside with just Try not to go outside with just

socks onsocks on Wear shoes/boots appropriate for Wear shoes/boots appropriate for

the weatherthe weather Make sure your shoes are in good Make sure your shoes are in good

condition-no holes or tears and fit condition-no holes or tears and fit wellwell

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THINGS TO WATCH FOR OUTSIDETHINGS TO WATCH FOR OUTSIDE

Ice/SnowIce/Snow

Uneven PavementUneven Pavement

Curbs Curbs

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REMEMBER……REMEMBER……

If you fall or see someone else If you fall or see someone else fall…….fall…….

TELL YOUR STAFF MEMBER TELL YOUR STAFF MEMBER AND/OR NURSE RIGHT AND/OR NURSE RIGHT AWAYAWAY

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REFERENCESREFERENCES

““Prevention of Falls”Prevention of Falls” [HCQU PowerPoint [HCQU PowerPoint Presentation]Presentation]

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For more information on this or For more information on this or any other physical or behavioral any other physical or behavioral health topic, please visit our health topic, please visit our website @ website @ www.hcqu.apshealthcare.comwww.hcqu.apshealthcare.com

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H C Q U W E B S I T Eh t t p ://h c q u .a p s h e a l t h c a r e .c o m /

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THANK THANK YOU!!!!! YOU!!!!!