How to Avoid Falls at Home

A practical guide for seniors and their family members. We would like to provide you with some practical information on how to prevent the fall of older people, who may not, but may have extremely serious consequences. Reducing the risk of falls will allow older people to live more independently and longer in their environment. We would like to draw your attention to the most common causes of falls and how to defend them.

15 tips of how to prevent falls

1. Exercise regularly, even if it is just a short walk a day, you will soon discover that you feel better that you have stronger muscles and stronger joints.
2. Place handrails and handles on both sides of the stairs so that they can be easily reached, grasped and held while walking up the stairs.
3. Never leave any objects on the stairs, corridors and any places you walk. In particular, remove any cords and cables that might get in the way.
4. Ensure that there is adequate lighting for all the places where you are, put a lamp on the bed so that you do not get up in the dark.
5. Use basically non-slip mats in and around the bath in the bathroom. Because many injuries happen when getting out of the tub, it is especially important that you have firm handles at the tub, and a bar positioned transversely above the tub is very useful.
6. Replace unsatisfactory and slippery carpets. Non-slip carpets with a lower rubber layer are now being manufactured. It is important to avoid tripping over the edge of the carpet. Therefore, attach the free edges of the carpets to the floor, slide them under the furniture or the like.
7. Try to keep all the things you use often at a reasonable level so that you don’t have to stretch too much and lean your head (dizziness) – or bend too much. This applies to mailboxes, cabinets, cabinets and the like.
8. If you need something from a higher height, use the steps correctly. Never step on chairs or tables that may tip over.
9. Wake up slowly from the bed, first sit down, exercise a little while sitting and then get up. It is less likely that you will have a headache.
10. Take care of your sight, it is important for your safety. Go to regular checkups and wear the correct glasses if your doctor prescribes them.
11. Never wear clothes (especially bathrobes and nightgowns) so long that you can trip over them when walking.
12. Do not wear shoes that are not your size or those that have a sliding sole. The foot should fit in the shoe firmly and comfortably. Even slippers are dangerous. Remember that even high heels are more suitable for society and not for everyday wear.
13. Hurry slowly, for example, to your phone. Your friends and acquaintances should know that it will take you a while to reach your phone, they will wait for you. You should have your phone positioned so that you can reach it even in the event of a fall – even further.
14. If you feel that your head is spinning after some medicines prescribed by your doctor, do not hesitate to contact your doctor immediately. You will definitely find a solution.
15. Make sure you have salt or sand at the exit of the house during the winter season, otherwise you could slip before you reach them.

 

What is important to think about when you have fallen.

Keep calm, though it is certainly hard and you feel shocked and shaken. Investigate whether something has happened to you and whether you will be able to rise, but do not pick up yet and wait a moment.

 

Here are some steps you should take:

1. If you are injured, you have pain that prevents you from moving or you are simply unable to lift:Try to call for help: it is ideal if you have an emergency call button that you just press. If you are not equipped with this, try to get to the phone by scrolling the ground (which should be so low that you can reach it). If it doesn’t work or you don’t have a phone, try slamming your neighbor’s wall or getting to the door or window. But first think about it and save your strength.Try to get on a softer and warmer surface if you haven’t fallen on it. Try to cover yourself with something. Try not to lie under the window or in the wind blowing.Try to move – do not stay too long in one position to avoid hypothermia and, for example, in case of stroke, you could very quickly cause unnecessary bedsores. If this is possible, turn and move the limbs.

   Do not stay wet, for example, by leaving your urine. Try to move a bit further and / or cover the wet surface with a newspaper or some cloth.

2. If you are lucky and have not hurt yourself and feel that you are able to get up:Before you get up, make sure you’re not really hurt. Furthermore, we will give you a few instructions on how to get up safely after a fall. While this is good and safe, it does not mean that it is ideal for you. The best thing would be for you to consult your rehabilitation worker, who will best advise you on the best way for you.Do not stand up at once, turn over, kneel on your knees and lean on the floor. In this way, “by fours”, move to the nearest stable piece of furniture (chair, bed, stool) that you can sit on, gently lift up and sit down. Rest for a while before sitting up carefully. While walking, hold the furniture or handles for a while for sure.