By increasing your awareness of risk factors, making small changes and collaborating with your family physician falls can be minimized or prevented.

Below are tips for fall prevention related to the personal and environmental risk factors as listed in the Common Causes of Falls article are addressed below.

Working with your Family Doctor

• Make sure to have vision and changes in vision evaluated every year or two.
• If your family member has had a stroke, head injury or eye injury of any kind, have him/her evaluated immediately for visual changes.
• Stay on top of cataracts and glaucoma care.  Have cataracts removed if possible.
• Ask questions and get help with degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration.  There are lots of resources available.
• If your family member has been diagnosed with a condition, educate your selves on the progression of the disease and which systems of the body it affects.
• Talk to your doctor about any changes in walking and balance and the possible use of a cane or walker.
• Collaborate with your doctor closely regarding your family member’s medications.  Make a medication list with dose amounts, name of drug and times administered.  Keep with you for all medical appointments, especially if he/she has multiple doctors.
• Keep a journal about all falls, changes in behavior, sensitivities or other unusual things that have occurred; especially when your family member has been prescribed a new drug.  Bring this journal with you to your doctor visits.
• Work with your doctor to have specialized help/therapies (physical and occupational therapy) as these are trained professionals; especially if there are cognitive deficits.

Changes you can make at Home

• Ideal sitting surfaces are 16” or higher; make sure your feet are flat on floor and knee bent at 90 degree angle.
• Platforms can be built to add height to chairs and recliners.
• Avoid chairs that have wheels, swivel or rockers.
• Try to use chairs that have arms.
• Ideal toilet height is 17”.  The old toilets are 13”.
• Use grab bars and/or safety frames (toilets) whenever possible.
• If bed rails are necessary, try ¼ rail.  This allows leverage, but does not act as a restraint.
• Remove all throw rugs.
• Move cords, toys, clutter etc. to keep a clear walk way.  Keep pets from getting under your feet.
• Make sure room lighting is even (overhead lighting with spot/lamp lighting as necessary).
• Avoid nightlights (uneven lighting)
• Low pile carpets are easier to walk on.
• Fix tears in flooring (carpet or linoleum) immediately.  NOT WITH A RUG!
• Wear good sturdy foot wear (closed toe and heel).  Make sure your have a little traction.
• Place non-skid strips on slippery areas (tile, glossy floors, bathrooms etc.)
• Try to have routine times for getting up to toilet, shower etc. as falls tend to happen at night or early in the morning when people tend to be more tired and unsupervised.