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24 November, 2009

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Falls prevention for older people

Falls are a major cause of injury for older people. They are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions in people aged 65 years and over. In 2005, approximately four per cent of Victorians in this age group were admitted to hospital as a result of a fall. In that same year, 73 per cent of those aged 75 years and over and admitted to hospital as a result of a fall were women.

Falls are common among older people
It is estimated that at least one-third of people aged 65 years and over fall one or more times a year. Although many of these falls do not result in injury, they can cause:

Hip and wrist fractures
Hip and shoulder dislocations
Head injuries and abrasions
Bruising and sprains
Fear of falling that can result in loss of confidence and restriction of activities.

Older people are almost 12 times more likely to have a fall than a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident.

Falls can be prevented
Contrary to popular belief, falls are not inevitable and many older people can be prevented from falling. Some risk factors for falls are relatively easy to change and, where falls occur, the severity of injuries can be reduced. The first step is to ensure that if a person is feeling unsteady or has a fall, even one that does not cause an injury, an appointment is made to discuss this with a doctor.

Avoid falls
To avoid falls and injuries from falls:

Exercise to improve your balance, strength and flexibility. Home or group exercise programs and Tai Chi are good examples.
Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well – they should be wide enough in the toe area, have low or no heels, and have slip-resistant soles.

Improve safety inside
To increase safety in the home:

Have adequate lighting. Replace light globes with globes of 60 watts or higher. Use plug-in night-lights and have movement sensitive lights near stairs and the bathroom. These lights are available from most leading hardware stores.
Make sure that walkways and corridors are kept clear and well lit.
Repair or replace carpets with worn areas, holes or long threads.
Check that mats and rugs are secure and have no tears or wrinkles. Put adhesive strips on all mats and rugs, including those in the bathroom.
Make sure that chairs and beds are sturdy and easy to get into and out of, and that tables and benches do not have sharp corners.
Check that internal doors can be opened and closed properly, preferably without locks.
Check that external doors can be locked and unlocked easily and are working properly.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Install grab rails in the bathroom (towel rails are not usually strong enough to use as grab rails).
Store and use medications safely.
To reduce the risk of falling in an emergency, make sure your house has smoke alarms in working order and a fire blanket or extinguisher that is easy to reach.

Improve safety outside
To increase safety outside the home:

Clear away garden tools.
Kill mosses, fungi and lichen that make garden paths slippery.
Mark the leading edge of outside steps (for example, with white paint) so they are easy to see.
Make sure that outside steps are well lit.
Keep paths well swept.
Repair broken, uneven or cracked paths, patios and other walking surfaces.
Wear sunglasses and a hat to reduce sun glare.

Stay healthy
To maximise physical wellbeing:

Talk to your doctor or other health professionals about how to manage your medications (including non-prescription medications).
Ask your doctor or other health professionals about how to manage chronic medical conditions, including dizziness and incontinence, to reduce risks of falling.
Have your eyes tested annually.
Visit your podiatrist regularly to minimise foot problems.

What to do if you fall at home
If you happen to have a fall at home:

Don’t panic. Stay still for a few minutes and try to calm down.
Call for help if you can.
Dial triple zero (000) to telephone emergency services or call your local doctor for help. Keep your telephone in easy reach of the floor, for instance on a low table.
Decide whether you can get up yourself.

If you can get up by yourself

Roll over onto your stomach and try to get into a crawling position.
Crawl to a stable piece of furniture, like a lounge chair.
Try to get up onto your knees.
Push up, using your strongest leg and arms, still firmly holding onto the furniture.
Sit down on the furniture.

If you can’t get up by yourself

Try to crawl or drag yourself to somewhere on carpet and find anything that can keep you warm, such as bedclothes, a towel or clothing while you wait for help.
Use your personal alarm, if you have one.
If you don’t have a personal alarm, use an object that you can bang to make a loud noise, like a walking stick against the wall, to alert a neighbour.
If you know no one will hear you, keep warm and try to get up again later.

See your doctor to check for injuries and to assess whether there was a medical cause for the fall.

Where to get help or information

Your local doctor
Local community health services
Falls and Mobility Clinics – contact your regional Department of Human Services office
Aged Care Assessment Teams – Aged Care Information Line Tel. 1800 500 853
Commonwealth Carelink Centres Tel. 1800 052 222
Home and Community Care (HACC) services through your local council
Your local Carers Association of Australia, Carers Resource Centre, Tel. 1800 242 636
Seniors Information Victoria Tel. 1300 135 090
Independent Living Centre Victoria Tel. (03) 9362 6111

Things to remember

Falls are a major cause of injury for older people.
Falls may be an indicator of deteriorating health.
Exercising to maintain strength and balance and taking precautions in and around the home will help to avoid falls and injuries from falls.
Monitoring or personal alert systems or services can give older people independence and peace of mind.

You might also be interested in:
Aged care - helping people at home.
Home and Community Care (HACC).
Physical activity - it's important.

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