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Whoops! How to prevent a fall

21 Oct 2015

As you get older and your bones become more fragile, the greater the impact a fall can have on your body. 

 According to recent figures from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, falls are a major and preventable cause of injury for the elderly. In fact, last year, they were the second biggest cause of hospital emergency admissions for those in the 70+ age group. Injuries can include bruises, sprains, dislocations or sometimes even death. 

However, the good news is that by making a few changes around the home, it is possible for seniors to avoid falls. 

“Preventative measures are essential to wellbeing in older age. I highly recommend that anyone with concerns about themselves or a loved one, to seek an expert to review the home environment and make recommendations about changes that will reduce their risk of falls – preferably before an accident happens,” says accessibility expert, David Goding, director at Morriss Goding Accessbility Consulting.

Here are a few adjustments that you can make in your home to make it a safer place.

Make sure steps are in good repair

According to David, if your steps are crumbling, get them fixed so they’re slip-resistant. On the nosing of each step, it would be good to have a colour indication or contrast so someone knows where to put their foot. Ideally, there should be a handrail on one side.

Doorways should be wide 

Doorways need to be wide enough to pass through with a walker or a wheelchair.

Secure rugs to the floor

“Either make sure rugs are either taken away or securely fastened to the floor as they can become a trip hazard if you slip," says David. "So many people fall over on a rug. Also ensure there are no phone cords or electrical phone cords running under the rugs.”

Chairs should be high enough

A lot of people collapse into the chair and struggle to get out. It’s a good idea to have your chair or sofa raised high enough so you can easily sit down.

Check the safety of your bathroom

“People fall over the most in bathrooms, because they might be transferring from a mobility aid to a pan or shower, so it’s important to have non-surfaces. Grab rails are also important wherever you’re moving to the bath, sitting down on the toilet or in the shower,” advises David.

“Adequate lighting is important and toilet seats should be at an appropriate height to make it easy to sit down. You can use a toilet seat, but you could get an ergonomic seat that raises the height of the pan, so you don’t have to go down too far.”

Consider adding handrails to your home

If you’ve got a staircase in your home, have a second handrail installed on the other side. For example, if you have a broken hip on one side of your body, you’ll need one handrail to help you walk down the stairs, and then another to walk back up them. 

Stay active and keep your body moving

“If you stop moving and keep watching Days of Our Lives on television, you’re not getting out and that’s the most important thing, because that allows the muscles to maintain their strength and not atrophy,” says David.