Fall Prevention Guide

Medical Guardian's newsletter includes a "Fall Prevention Guide." Some suggestions from it are below, and more will be forthcoming soon:


ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS:

• Bathtubs and showers that require you to step over a ledge
• Area rugs and bathroom rugs
• Situations that require you to carry a heavy object
• Clutter on the floor
• Kitchens, especially if there has been a spill
• Stairs, especially those without an adequate railing

KITCHEN:


1. Bright Lights, Healthy Kitchen


All work areas in the kitchen should have ample lighting.


2. Don’t Wear Loose Clothes While Cooking


Loose clothes can catch on fire over an open flame or pull a pot off the stove.


3. Properly Store Knives


All knives should be stored in a block, to avoid accidental cuts.


4. Keep Appliances on Your Countertop.


Store your most frequently used appliances on the countertop.


5. Close Cabinet Doors


Closing cabinet doors can greatly reduce injuries sustained in the kitchen.


6. Keep It Clutter Free

Eliminate the excess in the kitchen. Keep surfaces clear, especially the floor.

7. Store Heavy Items Below Waist Level

You have much less control of an object when you have to reach up to it.

8. Clean Up Spills

Any spill should be wiped up immediately to prevent a possible fall or slip.

More from the Medical Guardian "Fall Prevention Guide."

BATHROOM

1. Raised Toilet Seats


Those who have difficulty getting up from the toilet on their own may find that a raised toilet seat provides extra support and balance.

2. Handheld Showerheads


With a handheld showerhead, the shower comes to you. You can bathe independently while sitting on a shower chair or standing.


3. Install Grab Bars


Install grab bars by the toilet, next to and inside the tub/shower to give you support as you lift yourself up in the bathroom.


4. Shower Chairs/Benches


A shower chair or bathtub bench allows you to stay still, saving energy and using precaution to avoid falls.


5. Non-slip Mats


Place these mats both inside and outside your tub or shower and near your toilet and sink.


6. Walk-in Shower


Invest in a walk-in shower. This will eliminate the need to lift a leg over the ledge of a bathtub.

More from the Medical Guardian "Fall Prevention Guide":


BEDROOM

1. Place Lamps Next to Your Bed


Add lamps on each side of your bed. Make sure you can reach them easily from the bed without over-reaching or stretching too far.


2. Keep Your Bedroom Clutter-Free


Keep your bedroom free of clutter, as it increases your risk of falling, especially if your bedroom doesn’t have the best lighting.


3. Open the Curtains


Opening up the curtains in your room will allow for better lighting.


4. Install Bed Rails


Bed rails remove the risk of falling out of bed. They also provide support for lifting yourself out of bed.


5. Take Your Time Getting Out of Bed


Allow yourself plenty of time to wake up in the morning. Getting up right away makes it difficult to maintain your balance.


6. Use Nightlights


 Have plenty of automatic nightlights in your bedroom and along the path to the bathroom.


7. Wear Slippers [or Shoes] on Smooth Flooring


Ensure they have rubber soles to give you traction on smooth flooring.


8. Discard Area Rugs


Area rugs immediately increase your risk of tripping.

More from Medical Guardian Newsletter "Fall Prevention Guide"

STAIRS


1. Keep Objects Off Stairs


Make sure the stairs are clear of any potential obstacles before using them to make sure your footing is stable as you go up and down.


2. Attach Non-Slip Treads


In some cases, it might be best to remove existing carpet and attach non-slip treads on each step for more security.


3. Fix All Loose or Uneven Steps


 Loose or uneven steps that have warped and become uneven also pose a tripping hazard, especially at night or if you are not paying close attention to your footing.


4. Add Sturdy Handrails


Each side of the stairs should have handrails that run the length of the stairs to keep you supported every step of the way (pun intended!).


5. Install Overhead Lights


Have an electrician install overhead lights and light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. Ask someone to change a light bulb as soon as you notice it go out to make sure that your pathway on the stairs is always illuminated.

My solution to the stairs problem was to move to places that didn't have stairs but not everyone can do that.

(Continuing with selections from the Medical Guardian "Fall Prevention Guide")


SUPPORT YOUR FEET:

1. The Best Fit


If your shoe is loose, this makes it easier for you to lose your balance and fall. If your shoe is too small, you can get blisters and other foot discomfort that could affect your coordination. Having a good pair of shoes will lower your risk of falls.


2. Check for Wear and Tear


It’s best to repair the heels or soles as soon as you notice any damage. Or simply replace them with a new pair of well-fitting shoes.


3. Non-Skid Soles


When looking for a pair of shoes that offer safety and support, rubber non-skid soles are essential. In addition to keeping you walking steady out in the world, they can also help you stay on your feet if you have hardwood floors in your home.


4. Avoid Socks Without Shoes


Wearing socks on smooth flooring is very dangerous as you are more likely to slip and fall. If you prefer not to wear shoes in your home, you can keep a pair of house slippers with non-tread soles by the door and change into them when you’re in the house.

The HUD apartment building I live in has a provision for "reasonable accommodations"--modifications to an apartment if the resident has a medical need for them. I have applied for such an accommodation--a cutaway bathtub, which should end up looking something like this:



I had a rather bad fall a few years ago while exiting the bathtub. Since then I've been realizing that getting in and out of it is difficult because of my back and leg stiffness. I've installed two extra grab bars. I bought a special weighted cushion so I wouldn't have to drop down so far just to sit in the tub. I gave up on baths after a while and decided to enjoy showers.


There was still the problem of getting into and out of the tub.


The doctor has already done the paperwork, and so apparently have the building people. I will believe this when I see it, however, as plans for changes around here often get postponed or cancelled, usually due to budget concerns.

It was such a busy weekend, spent mainly trying to find out more about bathtub cutouts, that I neglected to find something to post on MS Speaks. My apologies!


The bathtub modification won't be happening after all. I have decided that the procedure is apt to be too disruptive, and the main consideration is that the fumes, as well as the fiberglass particles that would be released, aren't something I want to put up with just to make it easier (or even possible) to get in and out of the bathtub.


I am hoping that more exercise and maybe more physical therapy will make showering easier. In the meantime there are many other ways to keep clean.