11 Jul Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
FALL SAFETY
Fall prevention is one of the most important things we need to know more about as we age. Falls can cause pain, reduce mobility and cause fear of falling again. There are many ways to prevent falls. First we start with awareness. Being aware of your surroundings is important to do. You or your caregiver should make sure pathways are clear, make sure your area is safe and all rooms are assessed for possible hazards. Look for cords, adapters and placement of area rugs. Make sure that all areas in your home are assessed. One of the main areas of concern is the bathroom, 60% of falls happen in the bathroom 1 out of 3 people over 65 experiences a fall. A bathroom has 3major fall “hot spots.”
1. Getting on and off the toilet: There are toilet seat elevators, toilet safety rails and also commodes that can help keep you safe.
2. Getting in and out of the bath or shower: There are wall mounted grab bars, tub grab bars and security poles that can help keep you safe.
3. Bathing independently: There are shower chairs, bath benches and tub transfer benches. There are also accessories such as hand held shower sets, suction cup showerhead holders, bath seat baskets, shower mats and cushions. All of these items can help keep you safe.
Another problem area is the bedroom, getting in and out of bed can also be a safety issue. There are bed rails, bed canes or bed caddies that can assist with this. A security pole can also be used in the bedroom in fact a security pole can be used in all areas of the home. Thresholds can also be a hazard; there are ramps that can help with this if they become an issue.
Being safe in and out of your home should be a priority. We at Wallace Home Medical Supplies have a large selection of items that can help with keeping you or your loved ones safe. We carry Nova and standers products that are considered to be some of the safest in the industry. Please come in to either of our locations and allow our staff to help guide you to safety.