Falls

 

Fall prevention

The following tips may help to prevent a patient from having a fall:

• De-cluttering and arranging furniture so that the patient is less likely to bump into objects
• Keep floors clear of trailing wires, frayed carpets and rugs
• Keeping rooms well lit may help the patient to see more clearly
• The patient should wear well fitting shoes and should seek advice from a podiatrist if they have any foot problems
• The patient should have regular eye tests and wear glasses if needed
• Concentrating whilst walking is important
• Do one thing at a time, for example, not talking to someone at the same time as walking
• Aids such as a trolley may be useful for getting objects from one place to another rather than carrying them
• If the patient has a frame or walking stick they should be encouraged to use this in the home if needed
• Further aids such as handrails and a personal alarm may be useful