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Falls in older people are considered a very serious problem. According to the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society, around 30% of adults over the age of 65 experience a fall at least once a year.
Between 22-60% of older people suffer from injuries after a fall. 10-15% suffer serious injuries and 2-6% suffer fractures. In a lot of cases, these injuries require hospitalisation, so it’s no wonder many elderly people end up with a fear of falling.
In a study by Neuroscience Research Australia, a fear of falling is prevalent in those who have fallen previously. Whether the fear stems from a decreased visual acuity, physical weakness, unsafe home settings, or medication, we can help reduce the fear of falling and falls in older adults.
If you’re a family member or carer, it’s important to support the elderly to overcome their fear of falling and live a fuller, richer life. In this article, we share some tips to help prevent falls in elderly patients, overcome their fear of falling and feel safer at home or out-and-about.
#1. Give them a boost of confidence
As a carer, one of your key roles is to help the elderly regain their confidence after a fall.
There might be specific areas in the home or the community where they are more fearful — maybe a place where they have fallen before. It’s important to help them understand the risks and find alternative solutions to reclaim the experiences and activities they used to enjoy.
For example, you can work with your patient to create a contingency plan in the case of a fall. Knowing what to do after a fall can give them the safety and security they need to reenter the community.
A medical alert button might give them some extra reassurance, too. With a medical alert button on them at all times, they can rest assured knowing someone will be there to help them in the event of a nasty fall.
You can also encourage your patients to work on their strength and balance through physical activity. Tai chi can help strengthen their legs and improve balance, whereas yoga and pilates have many poses to enhance their balance. The elderly can also complete these exercises while sitting down.
Make sure you know how to do these exercises too and provide guidance for your patient while exercising.
#2. Establish a safe home environment
If falls are more prevalent in your patient’s home, make sure to complete an assessment of the area and minimise their chances of falling. Here are a few ways to prevent falls in elderly patients and make their home a safer, fall-free space:
- Ensure all rugs are securely fastened and/or non-slip. A loose rug can trip the best of us, so be sure to replace old loose rugs with one that’s heavy enough to stay down. Alternatively, choose a new rug with a rubber backing that won’t fold up or slip when it’s walked on.
- Improve their lighting. Talk to your patient about adding or replacing lights in the stairwells and hallways for better visibility.
- Install handrails and grab bars. Ensure that existing stair railings and grab bars are secure and easily accessible, or install new ones as needed. Encourage your patient to use these bars and handrails instead of holding on to towel racks or shower doors for support. Using independent living aids such as shower chairs or shower seats can help reduce standing time in the shower.
- Remove potential trip hazards. Take a look around your patient’s home and move (or remove) potential hazards. For example, you move coffee tables, electrical cables, and chairs away from high traffic areas. You should also ensure any loose floorboards or carpet are replaced.
- Store daily essentials within arm’s reach. Ensure items like clothing, dishes, and food don't require reaching or climbing.
- Immediately clean up any spills. This will prevent any unnecessary slips and falls.
- Encourage your patient to wear non-slip socks and shoes. If the patient has tiles, linoleum, or varnished wood floors, you should encourage them to wear non-slip socks to prevent slips. We stock a wide range of colours, sizes, and styles to suit your patient — shop now!
Introduce mobility aids to their home
If falls are becoming increasingly common for your patient, it might be time to introduce assistive devices like canes and walkers. These items can be very helpful in preventing falls in elderly patients and reducing your patient’s fear of falling, as they will always have support when travelling from point A to B.
Some items to consider:
- Walkers or walking frames
- Canes or quad sticks
- Easy reachers
- Toilet surrounds or raised toilet seats
- Shower seats
- Hoists for easy lifting and transfers
You might also consider introducing falls management products in the bedroom to prevent an injury if your patient falls out of bed. For example, you can place floor mats around the bed, or a mat with a sensor built-in so you will be immediately alerted if something happens.
When you introduce their new mobility equipment, be sure to have a trained professional adjust it for the patient’s height and style, and teach them how to use it.
Prevent falls in elderly patients and empower them with our supportive mobility products
No one should feel scared in their home — or out-and-about.
At Active Mobility Systems, we have a huge range of products designed to empower elderly and disabled members of our community. From disability seating for enhanced comfort to household aids for daily living, we have the equipment you need to eliminate your patient’s fear of falling.
We’re an established provider of powered rehabilitation equipment in Australia. We aim to provide intelligent mobility solutions to improve everyone’s quality of life.
Shop online today, or contact us on 9649 2111 for any enquiries.