Steve Parrott, CSA

Fall Prevention in Seniors

Who we are…

Non-medical home care

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ObjectivesObjectives

• Identify external and internal factors that cause falls

• What you can do to prevent falls

• How to get up properly if you do fall

When Seniors FallWhen Seniors Fall

• Leads to serious injuries

• Serious consequences

• Loss of senior’s independence

American Academy of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:Orthopedic Surgeons:

“She says she wants to keep living in her home. We say it starts by keeping her on her feet.”

Did You Know?Did You Know?• If you are over 75 years old, the

likelihood of falling is much greater.

• 70% of Accidental Deaths in people over the age of 75 result from falls.

• 40 percent of all nursing home admissions are attributable to repeated falls at home.

Did You Know?Did You Know?• 1 out of 3 seniors

who lives independently at home will experience a major fall each year.

• 25% of seniors who suffer hip fractures die within one year.

Did You Know?Did You Know?

• Falling, or the fear of falling leads to loss of confidence, isolation and immobility.

Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002

“A national approach to reducing elder falls … is needed…”

“Reducing …elder falls, is an important aspect to the agenda to improve [senior] safety.”

External Factors That May External Factors That May Lead To Falls Lead To Falls

• Four or more medications

• Poor lighting

• Unstable chairs

• Steep stairs

• Loose carpets

• Lack of bathroom safety equipment

Internal Factors That May Internal Factors That May Lead To FallsLead To Falls

• Weakness/ tightness

• Low blood pressure

• Macular Degeneration

• Peripheral Neuropathy

• Neurological Diseases

• Diabetes

• Osteoarthritis of the knees or hips

• Osteoporosis– means ‘porous’ bone.

– bone mass or density is less than expected for a person of a given age.

• Osteoporosis risk self-assessment

Internal Factors That May Internal Factors That May Lead To FallsLead To Falls

Risk Factors for OsteoporosisRisk Factors for Osteoporosis

• 65 years and over

• Thin

• Female

• White or Asian

• Early onset of menopause

• Low calcium diet

• Lack of exercise

Things You Can Do To Prevent FallsThings You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Do a Brown Bag Review

• Have vision and hearing exams every year

• Tell your doctor about:

–any weakness, pain or problems with your legs or feet

–any falls in the past year - especially if you’ve fallen 2 + times in the past 6 months

Things You Can Do To Prevent FallsThings You Can Do To Prevent Falls

Things You Can Do To Prevent FallsThings You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Eliminate unsafe clothing and footwear:

–Wear well-fitting slippers with non-slip soles

–Avoid clothing that drags on the floor

Things You Can Do To Prevent FallsThings You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Trouble reaching overhead?–Bring commonly used things down

to lower shelves

• Trouble picking up objects from the floor? –Sweep the object closer to

something sturdy

Things You Can Do To Prevent FallsThings You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Trouble getting in & out of the bathtub?

– Add grab bars to shower

walls– Use a bath chair & hand-held

shower – Use non-slip tub mats

Things You Can Do To Prevent FallsThings You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Trouble walking –Use an assistive device like a quad-

cane or walker

• “Head rushes” when you stand too quickly?–Rise slowly and count to 5

TYPES OF EXERCISETYPES OF EXERCISE

Weight bearing

Muscle-Strengthening

Non-impact

Things To Consider In Your HomeThings To Consider In Your Home

• Throw rugs?– Tape down or remove

• Stairs without rails?– Add handrails

• Clutter in your walking space?– Keep walkways clear

Things To Consider In Your HomeThings To Consider In Your Home

• Dark hallways or stairwells? – Use new, longer lasting bulbs for bright light

– Add nightlights where overhead lighting is lacking and in bathrooms and hallways

– Add bright tape strips to the edge of each stair

– Keep a charged flashlight near your bed

If You Are Not HurtIf You Are Not Hurt

• Roll onto stomach and attempt to get to hands and knees

• Crawl to stable piece of furniture (bed, stool, chair without rollers or casters)

If You Are Not HurtIf You Are Not Hurt• Approach support from front and place

both hands on surface

• With both hands on support, place foot of stronger leg flat on floor

If You Are Not HurtIf You Are Not Hurt

• Lean forward as you begin to push yourself up with your hands while bringing your feet side-by-side

If You Are Not HurtIf You Are Not Hurt

• Slowly turn and sit on the support

• Collect yourself before attempting to get up again

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

• Call us to Perform:

– A FREE Fall Risk Assessment– A FREE Home Safety Inspection

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Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

• Fall Prevention DVD

• Presentation Evaluation

• Raffle Prize!!

•Thank You!!