As individuals age, the risk of taking a fall increases. Not only that, a fall in one’s later years brings with it the chance of hospitalization and potentially long-term consequences such as loss of independence. It’s important to understand certain factors that lead to falls in the home so you can mitigate them and prevent falls from happening.
Here, Darcie Olson, occupational therapist, shares important fall-prevention tactics.
Fall Prevention Strategies
Preventing falls is a multi-component process. Research has found the best strategy is to take a varied approach, including becoming educated about fall risks, regularly engaging in physical activity and strength training, and working on balance and flexibility. Taking this approach can reduce fall incidence by about 20-25%. However, Olson says the number-one way to prevent falls—as a single intervention—is to perform a home hazard assessment.
“It’s essential to go through your home and figure out the risk factors for falls, for example, cluttered pathways, poorly illuminated areas, or not having handrails or sturdy things to hold onto as you navigate your home,” she states.
Olson also advises having a phone with you in case you do fall, installing grab bars in the bathroom/shower, getting your eyes checked, being careful when wearing bifocal eyeglasses, and making sure any medications you’re taking aren’t putting you at risk for falling (e.g. ones that may cause dizziness).
Rugs are another big risk factor, particularly because many older individuals tend to shuffle when walking. “Get rid of rugs everywhere, unless it’s really necessary. For example, when you step out of the tub or a shower, it’s a good idea to have something that’s going to absorb water and not create a slippery surface,” urges Olson. “But then, you want to look for a rug that is very sturdy and firm and has beveled edges, not something that’s going to wrinkle or change shape as you step on it or slip.”
Community Resources
In Dane County, there is a service called “Age Better Today” (www.agebettertoday.org) which offers a free in-home safety assessment that takes anywhere from about 15 minutes to one hour. During the school year, these assessments are conducted by occupational therapy students from Madison College. When those students are not in session, their role is filled by retired occupational therapists and others who have been trained in assessing the home environment.
“In-home assessments are very interesting because they usually highlight something you have lived with for years and years and really don’t recognize,” shares Olson. “Like, there’s a loose railing on your stairway or no railing at all but you’ve always just reached ahead to the wall. Or, that you’ve kept a beautiful vase next to the couch but when you go to stand up your tendency is to reach out and put your hand on that vase, but it may not be a stable surface that is designed for that particular thing.”
Another resource is Safe Communities (www.safercommunity.net). Under the “Programs” tab, there is a section dedicated to fall prevention. Olson urges people to lean into these types of community resources to bolster their fall prevention strategies.
“Look to your local communities, especially your senior centers, to see what their offerings are. Be an advocate for your own health and safety.”
