Preventing Falls

Preventing Falls

  1. Check your medications with a health care provider. Bring a list of your medications with you to your
    appointment. Your health care provider can go over the medication side effects for side effects and
    interactions that can increase your risk for falls.
  2. Make sure you have adequate lighting inside and outside of your home to prevent the risk of falls.
  3. If you have had a fall, write down the date and time of the fall. Please be prepared to discuss how the
    fall happened, where the fall occurred, and if you received medical follow up. Also, be prepared to
    discuss any almost falls, where you caught yourself or someone else prevented your falls. Please be
    prepared to discuss how many falls and almost falls occurred within the last year.
  4. Please be prepared to discuss any health conditions that may result in dizziness and falls. For example,
    do you have eye or ear disorders?
  5. Please remove throw rugs from your home. If you want to keep throw rugs, please make sure that the
    rugs have a non-slip backing or tack down the rug.
  6. See a physical therapist that can set up an exercise and walking program to keep you moving for fall
    prevention. The more active you are the less likely you will have a fall.
  7. Wear sensible shoes. High heels, floppy shoes and slippers can lead to falls. Shoes with slick soles and
    stocking feet can lead to falls.
  8. Remove objects, i.e., boxes, electrical cords, phone cords, and papers from the pathways.
  9. Move plant stands and coffee tables from high traffic areas.
  10. Use bathmats with non-slip surface in the shower.
  11. Install handrails for both sides of the stairs.
  12. If needed grab bars in the shower as well as a shower chair
  13. If you are using an assistive device please walk with the device at all times.
  14. Place night lights or adequate lighting in all rooms, including the stairs.
  15. Store flashlights in an easy accessible place in case the power goes out.