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Fall Prevention Training - My Care Home Care
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Why is falls prevention important?
FALLS ARE COMMON
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. 1 in 4 older adults falls each year.
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall.
Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
FALLS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES
Falls result in injuries, such as hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries. In fact, more than 2.8 million older adults are treated in emergency departments annually because of a fall, resulting in over 800,000 hospitalizations.
FALLS ARE COSTLY
The average hospital cost for a fall injury is over $30,000. Falls, with or without injury, carry a heavy burden on quality of life. After a fall, many older adults develop a fear of falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. Fear of falling can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.
FALLS IMPACT CAREGIVERS, TOO
Research has shown that after a care recipient’s first fall, caregivers report a significant increase in caregiver burden, fear of falling, and depression.
Caregiving can be a challenging role. Research has shown that the toll on the family caregiver’s health appears to increase over time. If you can prevent a fall, whether it is you as the caregiver, or the person you are caring for, you can save time, stress, and money.
CAREGIVERS NEED OPTIONS TO INCREASE PHYSICAL FITNESS
1 in 5 caregivers reports a high level of physical strain as a result of their caregiving duties.
CAREGIVERS NEED MORE INFORMATION
More than 8 out of 10 (84%) caregivers state that they could use more information on or help with caregiving topics.
CAREGIVERS WANT TO WORRY LESS AND KEEP THEIR LOVED ONE SAFE
Caregivers most commonly want information about keeping their loved one safe at home (42%) and about managing their own stress (42%).
CARE RECIPIENTS ARE LIKELY TO BE AT-RISK FOR A FALL
A majority of caregivers help their loved one with at least one activity of daily living (59%), most commonly helping their care recipient get in and out of beds and chairs (43%). Three in five care recipients have a long-term physical condition (59%).
Staying healthy as we get older improves our day-to-day life. Those who are less physically active are at higher risk of falling. Strength and balance exercises, properly managing medications, regular vision checks, and making the living environment safer are some of the steps you and your loved one can take to prevent a fall.
The most common risk factors that can result in a fall:
PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS: Changes in your body that increase your risk for a fall
BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS: Things we do or don’t do that increase our falls risk
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS: Hazards in our home or community
The key is to know where to look.
MUSCLE WEAKNESS, BALANCE, AND GAIT PROBLEMS: As we age, most of us lose some strength, coordination, flexibility, and balance — primarily through inactivity, making it easier to fall.
VISION: In the aging eye, less light reaches the retina, which makes it harder to see contrasting edges, tripping hazards, and obstacles.
MEDICATION USE: Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause dizziness, sleepiness, dehydration, or interactions with each other that can lead to a fall.
ENVIRONMENT: Most older adults have lived in their homes for a long time and have never thought about simple modifications that can keep it safer as they age.
CHRONIC CONDITIONS: More than 90% of older adults have at least one chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis. Often, these increase the risk of falling because they result in lost function, inactivity, depression, pain, or use of multiple medications.
Prevention Tips
You can play a role in preventing falls. Encourage the older adults in your life to:
- Get some exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to weak legs and this increases the chances of falling. Exercise programs such as Tai Chi can increase strength and improve balance, making falls much less likely.
- Be mindful of medications. Some medicines—or combinations of medicines—can have side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness. This can make falling more likely. Having a doctor or pharmacist review all medications can help reduce the chance of risky side effects and drug interactions.
- Keep their vision sharp. Poor vision can make it harder to get around safely. Older adults should have their eyes checked every year and wear glasses or contact lenses with the right prescription strength to ensure they are seeing clearly.
- Eliminate hazards at home. About half of all falls happen at home. A home safety check can help identify potential fall hazards that need to be removed or changed, such as tripping hazards, clutter, and poor lighting.
Steps for Home Safety
The following checklist can help older adults reduce their risk of falling at home:
Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
Install handrails and lights on all staircases.
Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
Put grab bars inside and next to the tub or shower and next to your toilet.
Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.
Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.