Best Practice – Preventing Falls
Published: 29/03/2019
At Right at Home safety is our number one priority. Many of our vulnerable clients have limited mobility and at risk of trips and falls. Some have mobility aids to give them some support and help them balance but sometimes they forget to use the aid or decide they do not need it.
For many of us in our later years (including my Mum) a bad fall can mean a broken hip and a resulting impairment or even total loss of mobility. My Mum fell in her lounge and hit her hip on a low, tiled, raised edge to a fireplace. She was on her own at the time and spent several hours in severe pain until rescued and taken to A&E. Her hip was fixed but she never walked again.
The risk of falls can arise due to many factors including muscle weakness, poor vision, cognitive impairment, incontinence, medication, poor footwear, and balance problems. One in three of the elderly adults suffer serious falls each year. Where falls occur at home – no less than 70% of them occur in the bathroom.
Reducing Risk in Your Home
When starting care with any new client we assess both the client and their home for risk of falls. Many slips, trips and falls happen in or around the home. Keeping an eye out for potential hazards can make your home a safer place. Making some simple changes around your home can make a real difference. Here are 3 tips from Age UK:
- Rugs and mats at the top or bottom of the stairs are a trip hazard and can easily lead to a fall, so it’s a good idea to move them out of the way.
- Install a night light near the bed to make sure if you wake up in the night you can see where you’re going. You can install a motion-activated light that comes on as needed.
- Remove trip hazards like trailing wires, clutter and rugs. Also, try and avoid glass furniture as it can be harder to see and may cause a stumble.
Right at Home has prepared a guide on making your home safer – click here to read the guide.
What to do if you are worried about falls
If you are worried about falls in the first instance speak to your doctor. Changes in diet, medication or some gentle exercise can improve mobility and balance.
Also (especially if you live alone) consider getting a personal alarm or telecare service so if you do have a slip help will be at hand.
The Right Shoe
Our friend Debbie Delves Clinical Director at Dulwich Podiatry (020 8693 6000) kindly provided the following advice on how having the right shoes is important in preventing falls:
The correct footwear is very important to keep feet protected and to prevent falls.
Having plenty of wriggle room in the shoes keeps pressure of the toes and prevents a number of pressure-related issues including ingrowing toenails and corns.
Shoes also protect your feet. As we get older, the sensation in our feet lessens. This is even more the case if the circulation is poor, or you have diabetes. It is important to wear supportive shoes indoors to protect them from injury from things on the floor and from stubbing against the furniture.
Slipping and tripping is an increased hazard as we get older, and falls can be devastating. The right footwear is key to preventing falls. Unsupportive sloppy slippers with thin soles which do not properly fit the feet can be lethal.
These footwear tips will help keep you secure and safe:
- Don’t walk around barefoot or in socks or tights.
- Make sure the shoes fit well and grip well at the heel.
- A good fastening will keep the shoe firmly on the foot. Velcro is great if fingers struggle with laces.
- Ensure the shoe has a good tread and will not slip on the floor.
- Check that the shoes are not tight around the toes and that there is plenty of wriggle room.
- Cushioned shoes will give comfort; supportive shoes give stability. Trainers or Sketchers combine comfort with support and are usually a good choice for indoors and outdoors.
- Avoid sandals, flip-flops, and high heels.
And don’t forget socks!
- Socks need to fit well both around the toes and around the ankles.
- If the ankles swell, ensure the sock does not cut into the flesh.
- Watch where the seam lies to keep pressure off the toes.
- Support tights can squeeze the toes and cause problems. Toeless support tights, with socks, worn over prevent this.
- Socks need to be changed daily for good foot hygiene.
For more advice or if you have any concerns, contact us on 0208 004 9644.
